Hope

Today was the day. I received the first dose of the Covid Vaccine. March 1 marked the day that educators were finally eligible to sign up in the State of Connecticut. March 1 also opened up the eligibility window for my mom, for both her age and her job as a child care provider. My mom and I arrived thirty minutes early for our appointments only to find a long line, wrapping around the outside of the building. I saw two friends from school in line. I waved, happy to see familiar faces. Happy to be in the company of people I cared about. Happy to see so many people coming out to take this important next step.

We stood in the slow moving line for close to an hour, the wind whipping and no sunshine in sight. I was warmed by hope. Hope that this action mattered. Hope that there would be others standing in a similar line in the days and weeks to come. Hope that there will be better days ahead.

When we finally stepped into the building, there was more waiting. Registering. Then waiting in line for the actual vaccine. I silently thanked all of the workers, busy around the room. “Thank you for being here. Thank you for giving your time, your patience, and your expertise to help so many.” I hoped they saw gratitude in my eyes.

Then it was my turn for my vaccine. I was seated next to my mom. “Are your ready?” the nurse asked.

I nodded. “Just a pinch,” she said.

My eyes brimmed with tears, not from the pinch, but for the last year. The challenges. The struggles. The loss. All of those who didn’t make it to see a vaccine.

My eyes brimmed with tears for the future.

Published by Jessica Carey

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I'm a mom of three daughters and a literacy coach in CT. I love to learn and share with others.

17 thoughts on “Hope”

  1. As this came through, I was just talking with the kids about last March and remembering what the month and the year were like. I am happy for you and the world!

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  5. This is really full of hope. Appreciate the reflective moment at the end and the descriptive tears. Sharing your hope that we’re turning a corner! 🙂

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  7. Today is the day for me. I am receiving the single dose at 1 pm today. Just thinking about it makes me tear up. You capture our collective bundle of feelings from this year, so much in the last 12 months, so many questions for the future, so much in the present. I will be happier when my whole family is protected, but for now I know that their anxiety is reduced a little because they can worry less about me. Glad you’re safer too.

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  8. “My eyes brimmed with tears, not from the pinch, but from the last year.” This, this this. I feel this so deeply. And I think your capture of this moment is important for progeny. Thank you for sharing this seminal moment in your life!

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  9. You captured that waiting feeling all the way to the end, anticipating and hoping with gratitude too! I may just cry as well. It’s been a year of change and waiting and worry for us all. As a world we hope!

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  13. Here’s to hope. That was my feeling as well, like we were all taking a big step. This is a healthy counterpoint to my post. It’s that tug of war of our emotions. We need optimism tempered by some restraint and patience. It’s still a marathon, but maybe we’re starting to get a glimpse of the finish line.

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