Got it with a sticker as proof. Never saw so many happy eyes as we waited masked and six feet apart to get our vaccine. There was shouting, according to those with young ears. But to the rest of us, quiet chit-chat about the thrill of winning a shot in the arm. Masks require speaking up, as do old ears. Looking around I thought of something my brother sent to encourage me. “When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.” But, today I’m grateful to be alive. As I’ve said before, to age is a gift.
When my turn came to enter one of the small cubicles, the nurse and I chatted about the miracle of these vaccines. She, like I, had Moderna, not Pfizer. The nurse informed me,”Your arm may get a little sore for a couple of days.” Well, I can think of worse, like more than half a million reasons worse.
While waiting, to certify no adverse reaction to the vaccine, I sat and stared. The Atlantic ocean waved just outside the windows of the Elks Lodge on Atlantic Avenue. It’s quite a picturesque place to stage a war against Covid.
As I sat among peers, I thought of “advice” to older folks from the internet. ” Never sing in the shower! Singing leads to dancing, dancing leads to slipping. And slipping leads to paramedics seeing you naked. So don’t sing!” Sounds like some other faulty reasoning I heard about what dancing could lead to when I was growing up.
Well, all advice isn’t equal. But to get the shot, wear a mask is good for more than what ails me or you. It demonstrates that we love God, our neighbors as ourselves, and know a miracle when it shows up as a vaccine. It is not about our political leanings.
However, it is about trust and gratitude. For instance, I’m thankful for thousands of men and women who worked in labs around the world to develop these vaccines. I’m grateful for all who took it from a lab to a shot in my arm. And I trust Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Fauci at the NIH.
But I also trust winter won’t last and I’m thankful it’s raining not snowing today. Spring’s making escape routes for winter with warming temperatures. (40s)
Come to think of it, spring’s God’s shot in the arm, a season of glorious surprises. Spring reminds us anything’s possible with Easter as God’s exclamation point. That makes me want to break out in song. But not in the shower!
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20 Comments
Thank you for your wise words.
Like “don’t sing in the shower”?
Good to hear from you, Jim.
I’ll remember not to sing in the shower now!!! Lol!
You are such refreshment and great joy to my spirit in reading your blogs. Thank you for the lift as this is the day the Lord has made and we do rejoice in it, rain or shine!
Well, I am grateful you and Shannon are my small group leaders for CBS! Thanks for reading, Nancy and taking time to respond..
Sing on…just watch your step!
I’m singing in the rain today! Inside that is! Not the shower! Got that message loud and clear!
I was reading Psalm 121 this morning and saw a note next to it that I wrote many years ago… one of Margaret Jensen’s favorite Psalms. Your mom was very dear to me and we wrote back and forth. Actually I met you years ago at my son’s graduation from Gordon College and we chatted about your mom. I have all her books and have read them a number of times. I pray you are well. I enjoy your devotions. In Him, Jackie
Thank you, Jackie. Well, you picked a wonderful woman as your pen pal. I am well and grateful to be so. Each day is a gift, rain or shine.. Say hello to your son. Gordon alums have a special place in my heart.
I just had my second covid shot
Covid must cower at the thought of you…a tough Norwegian with both shots! Congratulations! Bare your arm, then wear your sticker and band-aid proudly!
So glad you got your first shot! I am actually at a writers conference this weekend thanks to being fully vaccinated. As you said so well, there are more than half a million reasons why getting a shot is better than getting Covid. Grateful for your wisdom and your words, dear Jan.
Thanks, Maggie. Between your Norwegian genes and two shots, you’re good to go and go and go!
Hi Jan! I love your words today and couldn’t help smiling! I sent your blog to Phil and Sharon Eaton, our new neighbors here at Maravilla! We are blessed !! I loved Phil’s blog this morning, another day-brighter … I forwarded it to you also.
Blessings and love, Sue
Thanks,Sue.. I’m a subscriber so get his posts. Phil’s always thoughtful. .
Happy you’re neighbors. I dearly love Sharon and Phil. We were colleagues for many years. and friends. When in Scottsdale area, we loved to have dinner at T.Cook’s or grab Mexican food.
Thanks Jan and glad you are now among the “all shot up an no place to go crowd.” I sure am glad they picked the arms! And, for dancing leading to “other activities,” I always wondered how those who did not dance knew this. 🙂
Blessings from a modern (a) brother.
Dale
Some things just come naturally. Thank, God.
So glad you’re “all shot up” 🙂 And thankful you are discerning in which advice you follow – ha, truly all advice is NOT equal! And, so grateful for winter because spring is even more wonderful following winter. Love this: “Spring reminds us anything’s possible with Easter as God’s exclamation point. ” Yes!!
Yes! Took down my weathered wreath from Christmas today from the front porch and hung out one made of Forsythia. March first!
Jan,
I just sent this on to a Christian friend who is our age who does not want to be vaccinated. I am hoping and praying reading your words will help her reflect and perhaps change her mind.
Keep writing it is a wonderful gift!
Thanks you, Joyce. I, too, hope she will “go for it.” There are some strange notions out there and the misinformation works against the good of all. This is one way to trust God to work through science and to “love our neighbors.”
So glad you got the vaccine, Jan! Andrew’s family and mine did too, and we are so thankful. I hope it continues to roll out in MA. Utah has done a great job getting it out, but I know it’s a bit more complicated in MA.