Day One

 

After our house burned down in 1984, I divided my life into two parts:  BF (Before Fire) and AF (after fire). 

Believe it or not, the distinction was helpful for several years as I would occasionally think of items in our house and quickly realize that many were there before the fire. 

Without going into detail, we knew right off what priceless items went in the fire---like baby books and photos, etc.  

No more need to wonder about them, but still there were some things that we seldom used or thought of that, when I'd go looking for them, my brain would eventually signal that I wasn't going to find them. 

I bring this up only because I'm thinking of a new dividing line in life this morning. Actually, it comes in increments.

Before Pandemic (BP)

During Pandemic (DP)

And, some day, we hope 

After Pandemic (AP)

There's an important subtitle to go with that list:

Before vaccinations (BV)

After vaccinations. (AV)

At this point, none of us really knows how much the latter of the above will truly impact our lives leading us from the stage of DP to AP.  

We can guess, however, that, as the program works out the kinks leading to more and more vaccinations, we could very well be on the road to AP. 

And, what a time that will be!

  Much depends on the vaccination programs and on people's attitudes toward Covid, its guidelines and the vaccines.  

We know that everything is being done to improve on the former.  We also know that as the numbers of daily vaccinations continue to rise, we're making headway toward that ultimate destination. 

This morning I have survived 19 hours-plus of after-effects from my Moderna Vaccination No. 2.  

Since the common notion is that the after-effects, to be expected and to be thought of as good things, could last up to about 36 hours, I'm figuring that the worst is over for me. 

And, if my symptoms post shot had been a bit debilitating, like some folks have experienced, that would have been okay. 

After all, it's hard not to be emboldened with excitement and relief after that second shot, knowing that this could make all the difference in resuming some aspects of normalcy in our lives and without nearly the fear we've experienced since early last year.  

I was telling Bill as we drove to the vaccination center yesterday how good it felt, after nearly 11 months to know that my recurring dread of something happening, necessitating a trip to a clinic, a hospital or a doctor's office could now be in the rear-view mirror. 

No guarantees in life that we won't slip on a banana peel and still have to go for treatment, but the need would no longer be burdened with the extra stress of worrying about Covid lurking inside those places. 

And, so today, I'm enjoying Day One of AV, sore arm and all. 

As the hours of concern about post-vaccination symptoms wane, I look forward to moments of gratitude toward scientists, drug companies, the governmental workers, doctors, nurses, volunteers and health agencies who have all done their part to make this massive goal of fighting Covid unfold. 

As Bill and I were driving home yesterday, I thought about this significant event in our lives where we could go anywhere in the world and share a commonality in conversation about the ups and downs of what we've all experienced since last February. 

I don't believe there has been such an event in our lifetime which has unified mindsets and, sadly, driven people apart. 

It's nearly impossible to wrap one's arms around the magnitude of emotions, perspectives and losses that have gone along with this disease. 

It's NOT hard, however, to see and enjoy utter and universal joy along with a sense of pride among people as they progress toward their individual stages of AV.  

Truly a life-altering and emotional time as we pick up the pieces and start moving forward again.

I also noted to Bill that seeing all reports on Facebook or hearing from friends and family that "they have gotten a shot" reminds me a bit of the normal days before February 2020 when, every year,  first-day-of-school pictures from families dominated Facebook. 

It's a good time for all as each experience is documented.  As the efforts to get needles in the arms continue, it's gonna get better. 

And, maybe when we see this sad, historical and worldwide health event come to an end, we can go back to looking ahead but never forgetting this time in our past when life and the future became so uncertain and so sad.     

It's cold outside, but the woodpecker is happy.