Moving towards renewal by Sue Robin

We are on the path to renewal in many of the areas Sue talks about. But we still have a ways to go and can certainly use all the good omens we can get.

Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot COVID vaccine authorized for emergency use—CBS News

At conservative conference, Trump’s election falsehoods flourish—WaPo

In Statehouses, Stolen-Election Myth Fuels a G.O.P. Drive to Rewrite Rules—The New York Times

February 27, 2021

Moving towards renewal
by Sue Robin, Los Angeles, California

While our political scene still looks like a godawful mess, I am going to grasp at a bit of life that is moving towards renewal, though at what seems like a snail’s pace. I will try to tiptoe through the tulips between those who are worshipping the golden idol and those dangerous, seditious idiots. Spring will, indeed, bring new life this year. Alas, it will not soften the blow of the 500,000 who have died. May they rest in peace. Nor will it negate the fear instilled with the insurrection. We can only hope that justice will be served to all those involved and from the darkness of this event that peace and light will fill our world.

The corona virus continues to morph, while at the same time the vaccines are being pumped into humans with great care and speed. Everyone agrees that they wish the distribution was faster. In Los Angeles County, about 20% of the population have been vaccinated. In Seattle, about 13% of the population have received one shot. With the newly approved Johnson and Johnson vaccine added to the mix and the addition of many more sites to deliver the vaccines, I do believe that the number of people who will receive doses will exponentially increase in the next few weeks.

I am one of the lucky ones and am now fully vaccinated. The side effects from the first and second doses were limited to a bit of a sore arm and nothing more. Of the dozen folks I know who have received the second dose, only two reported fever and aches for one day. It is a small price to pay for feeling a bit safer amidst the pandemic. While I still might contract the virus, the likelihood of that happening and the possibility that it would devastate me has been significantly reduced.

This week was the first week in almost a year that we did our own grocery shopping and a Costco run. I came home exhausted. Though I know that I am protected and continue to wear a mask, social distance and wash, my emotions had not quite caught up to the actual experience. We have returned to some of our favorite restaurants for outdoor dining here in Los Angeles and are joyful to see some of the same servers there. I am making plans to meet a friend for a walk in the park as soon as she has her second dose. We will likely join my sister and her family for Passover now that most of us are vaccinated. Life is creeping towards normality. I can even begin to fantasize about a trip to see my son and family in Paris.

As a card-carrying introvert, this time in isolation has not been a hardship for me. I have been incredibly lucky. I am retired and did not have to deal with a change in income or job loss. I was able for the most part to live my life as usual with only some minor changes. Even still, it has allowed me to appreciate the more nuanced things in my life. I have watched the garden change through the seasons. The last two months, an owl has nested just off the deck. We have yet to see the owlet(s), but Mama is now standing as opposed to sitting in the nest. Soon we will get a glimpse of the babies and watch as they take flight. This blog has provided a place to share my roller coaster moods. It feels safe and is a comfort to be a part of this. My thanks to Ruth for opening this door and to all who read and write here. May spring be an omen of good things to come.