For full disclosure, I am not a crier. Like really ever. It’s not that I’m never sad. Or touched. Or that I’m never so happy that I want to cry tears of joy. Even when I have all of those emotions, I’m usually not drawn to tears. But today when I got my first dose of the vaccine, I teared up.
I don’t have any conditions that make me fall into the high risk category for an early vaccination, so I’ve been waiting for my time to come. I’ve had many people tell me that you can simply say that you have one of those conditions and that “nobody checks,” but I just couldn’t do it. I’ve always been a rule follower. And frankly, I’m just not willing to put my own desires for a vaccine in front of someone who may need it more than I do. That just feels really damn selfish. Instead, I put myself (and the hubs) on the list for my county, noting that we have no high risk condition. And waited.
I’ve heard of people going the dumpster vax route and trying to get a vaccine at the end of the day when there are leftovers or even waiting in line all day hoping for a leftover. But then, a friend of mine sent me a link to a volunteer group that was helping people find vaccinations in Texas. Of course, I told her thanks, but I’m not qualified yet (rule follower), but she said it was for cancellations and leftovers as well.
The link that I received was for a Google form, and honestly…. it seemed a little sketchy. I think it weirded me out because it didn’t say who was actually behind it, but is just listed as a “Vaccine Finders Volunteer Team.” Entering my contact information into some random form isn’t normally something I would recommend, but my friend said she filled it out and was connected with an appointment just a few days later.
The form asked if I was part of any of the high-risk categories. It even asked for my height and weight to determine my BMI since obesity is one of the things that puts you in the earlier vaccination group. I had to indicate how far I was willing to drive as well as how much notice I needed in order to get to an appointment.
Just a couple of days later at 5:21 p.m., I got an email saying I had an appointment the very next afternoon, 68 miles away. My hubs got a similar email with his appointment time just 15 minutes after mine. Score! I was able to quickly rearrange my schedule (luckily my wedding clients want me to be vaccinated just as much as I do!) so that we could make the trek and get our vaccines.
At 9:30 that same night, I got a text from one of the volunteers confirming my appointment. Honestly, I don’t know who is behind this Texas volunteer group, but I have to give them credit for being on top of it!
The vaccine center we were assigned to was staffed by military personnel, so when we arrived we were greeted by men and women in army uniforms. It was honestly surreal. And I think that’s when the emotions started circling for me. Like, this is a legit national situation! And also… these people are sacrificing their lives by serving in the military. (Thank you!) And also… man, this has been a year of sacrifice.
I’ve been extremely cautious since last March. When the CDC says to not gather in groups and to not travel, I listen. (Rule follower!) That means that I’ve pretty much been a hermit for the last year. And that I haven’t seen my family, since they don’t live nearby. I’ve declined invitation after invitation after invitation for social events. The only large groups I’ve been in have been client weddings that I was contractually obligated to be at. And even when it feels like everyone I know is “over it” and just going back to normal life, I’ve stayed the course. All of that to say, the thought of getting vaccinated and getting back to my pre-pandemic life is glorious. It certainly hit me all at once.
The process of getting the vaccine was very fast and easy. In fact, I barely felt the injection at all. So much so that I was like, “Was that it??” We got the Pfizer vaccine, and we are supposed to go back to the same location in three weeks.
It’s been a few hours since my vaccine, and so far I don’t have any side effects except for a sore shoulder at the injection site. I keep hearing that the second dose is what gets you, so I’ll keep you posted about how that one goes.
Until then, I’ll just be over here crying tears of joy. On the inside.
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