Day 9

Guess what we did today? Stood in line with the masses and got our H1N1 vaccines. Such a glorious family moment. Shall I recap the day for you? Our county had its first swine flu clinic--there are several more to follow this week but this was the first. They opened at 10 am, so I dressed in my warm clothes and got in line at 8 am. I bet I was around the 200th person. By 10 am, when the clinic opened, there were a thousand people in line. It was a great opportunity to people-watch. Like the man 5 yards from me who could sleep standing up. Or the woman smoking with an oxygen tank. Or the woman with 7 children. She gets the gold medal for the day. I was very happy to be standing next to two other moms who wanted to discuss the Twilight saga with me. The time passes rather fast when you've got Edward on the brain. David brought our kids right at 10 and found me in line. It was perfect. The line moved quickly and the Health Department staff were all incredible. I had prepared myself that only the kids could get shots, but they asked David and I if we wanted them too so we said "Sure!" Lily is our brave one--but Carver and Zinabu were hyperventilating as they waited in line. As we got closer and closer, Zinabu's tears became more intense. When it came time for his shot, I put him on my lap and held him. I was trying to soothe him as the nurse got the needle ready, but then he screamed, "POISON DART... NOOOOOOO!" and I began laughing so hard I wasn't much help anymore. Carver was white as a sheet after his shot and I think in the future he may be a fainter. A nurse insisted he drink juice and sit in a chair for a while. Mostly, I'm incredibly grateful that we had the chance to get vaccinated. I don't take it for granted.

Best of all? The Health Department clinic was F--R--E--E!