First Vaccine, Feb 25

The long slog is almost over, I thought sitting in the Kaiser suite that’s newly a vaccination clinic

beside the paramedic uncapping his syringe and bringing it toward my arm.

A flood of emotion arose from inside me, a surprise after all the past year’s dry discipline.

A wave of gratitude surged toward this kind man doing his duty. “Thank you for saving lives,” I told him,

briefly able to envision the efforts and struggles of so many that have gone into this moment of my protection–

and that went toward holding the line all during this dreadful war.