I miss my relatives, my friends, even striking up a conversation with a stranger.
I long to hug somebody other than my husband. To have a shopping spree. To leave my local library with an armload of books. To stop at the local coffee shop. To have a girls’ night out. I want to go to a performance: a play, band concert, movie, anything.
I want to freely travel down the street, around the state, across the country, and I want to dream about traveling to other lands again. I want to complain about airline travel again, the inconveniences that we all notice.
I want my freedom back.
I crave the joy of not worrying.
That life starts again when I get the Covid19 vaccine. I turn 70 years old on January 23 and in Ohio that means I get my shot starting the week of February 1. I will so happily roll up my sleeve! I suspect I will tear-up as this blessed vaccine goes in my arm, and I will say a prayer of gratitude for the scientists who made this possible.
For me, the best part of getting the Corvid19 vaccine and its follow-up shot means I can travel in safety to see my grandkids. To hug and to hold, from that day forward. No quarantining necessary.
After the driving trip to see them — which will happen shortly after vaccinations — when we return home, my husband and I will once again know that if we are quickly needed at their Washington home in an emergency, we can book an airline ticket to be with them. We grandparents who are a plane ride away have sorely missed the security of knowing we could get to our grandkids within 24 hours if we had to.
I know many people have regarded the virus differently, and have continued to see their grandchildren whenever possible. We all chose our own path during this pandemic. I did the right thing for me — I hope you did the right thing for you.
Being a grandparent who lives miles away — which has so many challenges! — got substantially harder for millions of us when Covid19 hit our land. Let’s celebrate as this burden is lifted from us.
I’d love to know your (non-political) thoughts as this historic vaccine is rolled out. Please use the Comments section below.
I am so with you on receiving my vaccination ASAP. I am 74 and we live in WI. Our grandchildren are in SD (ages 7 and 10)and TURKEY ( ages 7 and 4) . I have not seen SD family in 1 1/2 years and TURKEY family in 2 1//2 years. My heart aches. I am so ready for ‘real life hugs!’ We visit via FaceTime as often as possible and I have been trying to find ways to interact with them for a long time. Your suggestions are priceless. It is mostly myself that interacts with the children so some of the activities are a bit harder, but I will try to improvise the best I can. I am so glad I found you online. I was searching for the ‘reading to them’ idea and you hit the nail on the head. Thank you SO much. Mary
Turkey?!? Oh, Mary! That shuts me up about complaining about mine being across the country.
You have been so long without the SD grands and the Turkey grands. I so hope 2021 is the year you make new memories!
Here’s a little activity idea that my 8 1/2 year old granddaughter liked. I found a bunch of riddles for kids on line, and I was reading some to her and her grandfather the other night and they were trying to come up with the answers. The three of us really had a fun time — especially because some of their answers were funnier than the real ones.
Your nice words about my blog delighted me. It’s a gloomy day here in Ohio and your compliments brought me sunshine. Thanks, Mary!
Jane
Me too! I’m in ER so felt myself high risk and haven’t seen my 8 grands out of state and in another country since February. I’ve had Covid and my husband too and getting my vaccine Friday but have been told it only protects me and that I’m considered still a carrier. 🙂😷😭😭😭 I miss my mom whose in her 89’s and my high risk sister. So sad!!
Faith, I’m so sorry you and your Mister had Covid.
I trust the vaccine will give you some peace of mind and perhaps help you connect with generations on all sides of you — your mom, your offspring, your grandkids! I am researching to see what the risks are AFTER the vaccine and I’m pleased with what I find.
Thanks for your ER service … and thanks for writing!
Jane
Although I’m already in my seventh decade, I received my first vaccine 6 days ago, not because of my age, but because I’m a volunteer in a hospice program. I too am very excited to be receiving the vaccine, as it means I’m one step closer to visiting my granddaughter and her parents once again. I just want to encourage all of us, once we have received the vaccine, to continue following COVID precautions and urging others to do the same. Wearing masks, social distancing and washing our hands well and frequently will continue to be equally as significant as it has been until the majority have received both doses. Just as we do when we’re providing other kinds of examples to our grandchildren, we need to do our very best as public health advocates.
Thanks for writing, Wendy, and thanks for the reminder to keep wearing masks and doing other precautions. I know I am happy to do so and it will feel good to do that knowing the vaccines have given outstanding protection to my body. Aren’t you so excited for when this is all behind us!
I love the priorities that were set for distribution of the vaccine, and that you healthcare workers and volunteers got to go first. You definitely deserve it!
Jane
HI – yes, we have been ‘plotting’ the time to travel to TX (from MA) to see the 1 and 2 year olds – discussion point now: who had to have the vaccine to plan (us and/or them?) Their ‘bubbles’ are bigger than ours due to local family….
Off point but….you and my husband share birth YEAR (he got to his 70 earlier this month) but I share your birth DAY (and I’m embarressed to tell you how long it took me to recognize the 1/23 pattern of our day!) Happy Birthday!
Happy Almost Birthday, Ann! Another 1-23! And you and I were born on the same day: 1-23-51? Wow! Plus, my husband’s birthday is also in January, on the 6th.
The family we are visiting in Washington is in a bubble that only includes them. Pretty much, they have been sheltering in place since March. So we feel good about visiting them after we get our vaccines, knowing chances are very high that we won’t be bringing Covid into their bubble. Of course, we have discussed this with them.
I hope your trip to MA isn’t too far off!
Jane
If I get a coronavirus vaccination, do I still have to wear a mask? Physical distance?
From JohnsHopkins.
Yes. It may take time for everyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccination to get one. A vaccine that is 95% effective means that about 1 out of 20 people who get it may not have protection from getting the illness.
Also, while the vaccine may prevent you from getting sick, it is unknown at this time if you can still carry and transmit the virus to others. That is why, until more is understood about how well the vaccine works, continuing with precautions such as mask-wearing and physical distancing will be important.
Thanks for the expert info, Tricia!
And here’s another reason to keep wearing a mask and social distancing: KINDNESS.Our daughter is 40 and is in the last group to get her vaccine. She says if those of us who have the vaccine stop wearing a mask, she would be unable to go anyplace! After all, how would she know the people without a mask are vaccinated?
I will be wearing a mask and social distancing until the experts say it’s not necessary.
Jane