Service with a Smile

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I had another successful volunteer shift at the vaccine clinic today.  I worked with a lovely volunteer whose husband is also a physician.  At one point, she pulled out a needlepoint project and began stitching bicycles on a belt.  The heavens opened up and I heard singing.  I found my people. I reached for my knitting and we simultaneously chatted, scheduled appointments and added stitches to our projects. Several patients commented on our work and reminisced about memories of needlecrafters in their lives. It was a gateway to connect with them which is something I think most people are in want of.

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The flow of the patients was constant. Periodically, I looked up to see one of my knitting besties, Cheryl. She was one of six vaccinators and gave roughly 60 shots. If the math holds true, two hundred forty vaccines in six hours is quite the accomplishment in the fight against Covid-19.

At the end of my shift, I hit the ground running, eating my lunch in the car and hoping to stop for coffee to wash it down. When I found the drive-thru Starbucks closed, I quickly shifted gears and popped into Target. I had just enough time to unexpectedly return some purchases and visit the in-store Starbucks.

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I thanked the barista for my coffee and admired the window art. “Today you may be talking to someone who is trying their best not to fall apart. Be kind to everyone with all your heart.” She smiled and said it was her idea. It was as if we exchanged hugs.

Adoration gave me that time I needed to sit still and be quiet before racing off to pick up Mason and then drop him off at the Y. While he was working out, I made an Amazon return at Kohls and went grocery shopping at Aldi’s.  When we got home, I unloaded the groceries and put away the Misfits box. Thankfully, I had had the forethought to pick up ingredients for a fast and easy dinner:  Caesar salad and ready to bake calzones.

Bedtime came none too soon. It had been a long and full day, but one that left me smiling.

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