I’m happy to announce that my first Covid 19 vaccine dose in now safely in my arm and working its way around my immune system. I am one of the lucky ones.

The governor of Florida went against the CDC guidelines and lowered the eligible age to 65. I just squeaked in. But that doesn’t mean it was easy to snag the appointment for the shot while also getting one for my 78 year old husband.

I live in a 55 community and the one and only topic of conversation for the past few weeks has been where and how to get an appointment, somewhere, anywhere. The Department of Health filled up in 20 minutes. Another medical group has a system where I called and called and hit redial 100 more times before someone took my phone number to call me back. I’m still waiting.

The medical group I go to sent an email at around 8 pm on Thursday night. It was a fluke that I even opened my email at that time. I’m usually getting ready for bed. I clicked on the link, filled out the information for Richard and hit save. Nothing. So I did it again and again and again until it finally took. Then I started the process again to try to secure my own appointment.

While I’m fiddling with the laptop, I’m also texting two of my friends to alert them. They log in and start doing the same thing I am and are thus my competition for the same limited amount of vaccines. I was told I was being altruistic by alerting others to their availability. Thankfully they got appointments too.

I have friends in other states who are still waiting patiently but with great anticipation for their vaccine. The age limits and distributions are different everywhere. They are all happy for me but nervous for themselves and their families. I truly am one of the lucky ones and because I am, I will pray that we can figure this all out and get shots into arms so I can give all my friends a HUG! You are important to me and I can’t wait for us all to be together again.

Hang in there! Your turn is coming soon.