Saturdays with Seniors: Bev Scores her Best Shot

I am pleased to feature my sister Bev Miller as our Saturdays with Seniors guest blogger today. Thanks to the kindness of my older siblings, I have always enjoyed being the youngest — and most spoiled — member of a large family.

Until now: I’m the only one too young to qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine yet!

My sister, Beverle.

Bev graduated from Grand Valley State, recently retired after a very successful career in computer programming, and lives with her family in Grand Haven, Michigan. This account of her Vaccination Day made me smile. Hope you enjoy reading it, too.

It Really Happened

by Bev Miller

• I received vaccine #1 today.
• Arrived at assigned time at Grand Valley State University in Holland, Michigan.
• Didn’t know there was such a thing, a branch of GVS in Holland.
• Yay, alma mater!
• Process didn’t seem to be quite as simple as what Marilee experienced. Editor’s note: Marilee is our sister in Florida.
• Noticed a cluster of people standing outside.
• Some on an upper landing.
• Another cluster on a lower landing.
• Two guys in full fatigues are there to greet me as I approach.
• I’m told they’re running ten minutes late.
• ”Please return to your vehicle,” they say. “Come back in 10 minutes and you will be processed thru the system.”
• It is 18 degrees outside.
• I did not come prepared to stand outside. Editors note: Bev has an attached garage at home.
• Happy to return to my warm vehicle.
• Ten minutes later, I go back to facility.
• We stand 6 ft. apart outside for 5 minutes or so.
• We are allowed inside.
• As we continue to approach we keep 6 ft. apart.
• At each stop someone in fatigues recites the same instructions.
• Over and over.
• And over.
• At all stops we are greeted with, “How are you today?”
• Me? “Fantastic!”
• My vaccination was even administered by a guy in fatigues (Air Force Reserve).
• Told him this is the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a long, long time.
• He says, “Happy I could be a part of it, ma’am.”
• Could have done without the ma’am.”
• Wait 15 minutes in case of reactions.
• Surprised to be greeted by a girlfriend of mine who is volunteering her time to steer people thru the process.
• On to the room to be scheduled for vaccine #2.
• T’was so exciting!