Freedom

Yes, each of us has the freedom to decide to be vaccinated or not, however, with each decision we make, there is a consequence.  Sometimes, the risk to get the shot is greater than the rewards, of course, and this has to be weighed, especially those who are advised against it for medical reasons. 

Courtesy of Pixabay

I just got home from trying to visit my husband in a local facility, only to be met by others leaving explaining it was just shut down because of covid...an employee who was not vaccinated.

Then I think of the number of residents in that facility who now, once again, cannot have visitors.  How many residents are there? I don't even know. But I do know that about half of the employees are not vaccinated.  They also have the upper hand over management because of the shortage of workers.    

Now, because of  ONE PERSON, one person mind you, MY FREEDOM to visit, to support a family member, has been taken away from me! I am not alone.  There are others in different situations, perhaps waiting to transfer there, who may be blocked because the facility may not be able to take new admissions because of lockdown.  I'm not sure. 

There is a ripple effect to how freedom works.  It is not a single thing but it reaches all shores like a bolder thrown into the middle of a pond!  Yes, not a pebble in the ocean, but a boulder into a pond.  This is a huge repercussion...huge! 

What will it take to encourage others to get vaccinated?  I don't know.  They do have the freedom to decline but I wish they would think about others that are harmed and their freedom is denied because of this one decision! 

"Thinking of You!"

Courtesy of Pixabay

"I'm thinking of you!" This statement has brought me wonderful feelings, coming from callers on the other end of the phone.  I have learned to say it too, which opens the conversation to whatever the other person wants to talk about.

There are many times in our lives that questions and probing is too invasive, plus there just might not be time to really share what's going on in one's life. Timing may be poor.

This reality is not something I have always been conscious of but in the past several years it got my attention especially when one day got worse than the next and there were times I couldn't keep up with myself, let alone update caring friends. 

And indeed, friends and acquaintances alike were concerned, caring and meant well; this was obvious.  Sometimes, a single meal, a card, a kind gesture of shoveling snow or mowing grass is what's needed...and so appreciated.

However, thank goodness for answering machines to  take a message when the phone can't be answered, to hear that warm sound that says, "I was just thinking of you!" These are words that warm the cockles of my heart!!