A Compassionate Touch

With many events and situations circling around me, today, I took my mother, a cancer survivor to the COVID Vaccine Center at Inova Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia. My mother, a cancer survivor, now entertains us with her on-going unique behavior as she gets older, so I didn’t know what to expect or if she would resist getting the vaccine.

As we approached the facility, a wonderful young man came to assist with a wheelchair for Sister Gita, my mom. Then he guided us in, making it so easy. But guess what? It got even easier. There were people standing by to help at every step of the way. A nurse walked us to the registration desk and as I stood waiting for the registration to be completed, which took around one minute, an overwhelming amount of love gushed through me. I felt a deep love for America and the healthcare workers who put their lives on the line every day. I felt a special love and appreciation for the current administration for rolling this out so smoothly.

I had flashbacks of voices from people who have been hesitant to get the vaccine and those calling the pandemic a “hoax.” All of this came up and slipped away as fast as it had entered my mind. As I sat in the chair with the nurse getting ready to administer the vaccine to Sister Gita, that wave of love came again. A lady who walked up to the booth next to ours, started speaking to her nurse and she said, “I can’t tell you how overwhelmingly amazing all of this is!” I turned to her and said, “I too am having the same feeling. I am feeling so much love here.” We both paused with the nurses looking on and receiving our deep heartfelt appreciation.

So now it’s time for Sister Gita to get her shot, which is always a process, but this time she sat so peacefully and open to it all. Keep in mind, Sister Gita still asks me, “Who is she, Corona. Why does everyone keep talking about her?” I thought that would place a smile on your face. Truth is better than fiction.

After the shot we were given a card to return for the second vaccine and sent to a waiting area where everyone was also so thoughtful and kind. I have to say, if I had any reservations about the vaccine, they were certainly dispelled after my experience today.

Thank you, President Biden and Vice President Harris for caring so much about the American people.