A Pleasant Outcome

After what felt like a truly hellish struggle mired in circular technology for hours a day over several weeks, trying to find a vaccination appointment somewhere, I happened upon a Facebook post about appointments at St. Anthony Hospital.

It felt too good to be true, so we steeled ourselves to accept an unexpected vaccine shortage, computer error or freak snowstorm. Instead, we experienced the smoothest, most orderly and cordial process you could imagine.

So far, the only side effect I’ve experienced is a tendency to weep with relief and gratitude for getting this far in our journey through the pandemic. For nearly a year my focus has been to protect my dear 80-year-old husband through this unbelievable time so we can someday enjoy the much-anticipated milestone birthday party and combined family reunion we had to cancel last March.

I’ve been acutely aware of the hundreds of thousands of Americans whose painful COVID-19 deaths ended their dreams forever, and of the millions of family members and friends plunged into grief. I also acknowledge the privilege it was to have received a scarce vaccination today, while others wait. And wait.

Edie Morgan, Longbranch