Covid Vaccine!

Today I received my vaccine!  (I was sent an invitation after signing up through the Wisconsin Vaccine Registry.  I reserved a spot at noon.)  When I arrived at the Alliant Energy Center, there were signs leading me to a section of the parking lot where vehicles were being parked in long rows.  Every so often the parking attendant would instruct a row to drive.  So I waited in my car, windows down, breeze blowing and read my book as I waited.  It was glorious.  After a bit, my row started to move, and I quickly turned the car on, threw my book aside and put my mask on.  I followed the signs and at the end was an irate traffic guard yelling at cars.  Fortunately, I did not upset him, and proceeded to the lane he indicated, giving him a friendly wave as I passed.  Everyone inside the facility was efficient and friendly.  As I drove in, I had this wave of emotions, thinking of ALL the people in that huge area getting vaccinated.  That we were all protecting ourselves and our loved ones and each other.  How each of us played a part in ending this pandemic.  I felt emotional thinking of how wonderful it will feel to not feel so constantly afraid that I might pass Covid on to Benja (who has a number of risk factors), and Lotta, who has asthma which ALWAYS flares up for any respiratory illness.  The person who gave me the shot and I talked about how Zibbi had suggested I wear a sparkly tank top, to really announce to the world, "I am getting vaccinated today!"  The shot giver instructed me to go to the parking lot and wait 15 minutes to make sure I didn't have a reaction.  She said that if I did have a reaction, to honk my horn and put on my hazard lights and an EMT would come check on me.  As I exited the facility (another, maybe the same) traffic guard began screaming and shouting and waving his arms, trying to tell me where to go.  The more he screamed, the more I could not interpret which way to go.  I just kept driving in a somewhat straight fashion.  He reminded me of a traffic police officer Thom and I used to watch in Chicago.  She was constantly enraged.  Every single time.  We would go to a coffee shop on Michigan Avenue where we could watch her angry show.  Let me tell you that it is not as entertaining when you are on the receiving end of that anger.  Anyway, I kept driving (in the wrong direction).  And finally figured out where I was supposed to go.  At the other end of the parking lot, as I attempted to re-enter the line, was a quiet, fastidious parking attendant.  He was carefully and slowly parking each car.  The vehicle in front of me parked slightly over the line and he calmly requested they try again.  I carefully, carefully, pulled into the spot, I could not take the ire of another at that point.  When suddenly, the car behind me starting honking and honking.  And I thought, "Oh boy! What now?  Do they know I am from Missouri?"(Apparently, Missouri drivers are known as bad drivers because Driver's Education is optional rather than mandatory).  When I then realized the person behind me was having an allergic reaction to the shot, which made me first sigh a sigh of relief, then look up in alarm.  An EMT came rushing over and assisted him, he was fine, but his wife decided to drive him, rather than the other way round.  Finally, I went home.  Where Zibbi has been reminding me all day to drink water and move my arm.  (I let her know this morning that I am better at reminding others than myself to do those things. So, she's been helping me out.)  And boy oh boy am I exhausted.  Who knew a vaccine could be such an emotional roller coaster?