“We feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” – Mother Teresa.
When I look at the news, which I try to do once a day, and briefly, my heart sinks at the anger and suspicion splitting up our country. It s seems there is nothing we all agree on in 2021, including the value of honesty and compassion.
In my own life, I am nothing but hopeful. The Army of Good gives me hope and purpose and meaning, and I can’t believe my good fortune to be able to work and love alongside these beautiful people, most of whom I have never met and never will meet.
They come from every state in our union, and we are pretty united about what good is. I can be done.
This morning, my granddaughter Robin got her first Covid-19 vaccination shot at a Brooklyn doctor’s office. She didn’t cry at all; I hear her parents might have misted her up. New York City has been a frightening place for parents.
Because of Covid, I haven’t seen Robin much these past two years; I feel the loss of that acutely.
The idea of vaccinations being the subject of so much hate and rage is surprising. I was a child during the worst of the polio epidemic; I saw my friends die, live in iron lungs, and lose the use of their legs. My friend Danny was paralyzed for life from the waist down. Seeing him in his wheelchair changed my life.
Pools were closed, so were playgrounds, and I was not allowed to go outside or see my friends for a long time. It was a terrifying time. The iron lungs terrified me; I had nightmares of being trapped inside one or never walking upright again.
When Dr. Falk came up with his polio vaccine, there was dancing in the streets. I remember the day we all lined up in the school auditorium to get our polio shots. It was a day of joy, relief, and hope; I never saw my parents so happy and relieved.
Parents were crying all over the gym.
After the vacations, polio virtually disappeared. It was hardly ever mentioned again. We put our faith in science, and it brought us a miracle.
I don’t have the strength to argue about vaccines with anyone; like it or not, we each have to make our way in the world. Arguing does no good and accomplishes nothing.
I think we are sailing into the Dark Ages again in some ways, which means good becomes more important than ever. I believe that superstition and suspicion, and ignorance trigger log and learning and faith. I do. History proves that, again and again.
One day, we will awaken, and a leader will emerge who will show us a way out of the darkness and into the light. Doesn’t this sound familiar?
I stick to my oath not to tell other people what to do. This lesson will be learned again; the wheel turns and turns.
I hate to think of the children who will have to sacrifice themselves or be sacrificed to prove it all again.
Sorry, Danny, you deserve better.
We seem unable to find joy and purpose together as a nation, only anger and grievance. We hardly speak to one another; we go to court.
My work has shown me that many good people are out there, just waiting to do good. They are our salvation; they are the next thing after darkness, light. After rage, hope.
I am relieved that Robin got her shot. I will see her soon after she gets the second one. I appreciate her parents. I thank the doctors, researchers, and nurses who have helped make Robin safe.
She has good parents. They love her more than they love themselves.
Jon…
We who recall those polio years and the horrors of other pandemics have a clear message for today’s ears. But these ears are not listening: they are hearing their own voices, and echoes from others alike.
I’ve been carefully studying why Arizona’s case rates are rising while those in several other states are falling. A case could be made for Arizona’s resistance to anti-COVID measures, but that wouldn’t explain other states. So, I’ll stick with vaccinations.
I’m also reading about the 1918 Influenza pandemic. That generation had no vaccine. Last Sept. 20, our COVID deaths surpassed the 1918 toll. But, since the US now has three times the population, the 1918 pandemic was more lethal.
The road to eradication is likely to be long. Original projections for herd immunity required about 70% to be fully vaccinated. But after appearance of the Delta variant, the threshold rose to 90%. In today’s environment, getting 90% of anything is a miracle.
To end on a positive note, your reports on Afghan refugee relief are uplifting. We are a compassionate people with generous hearts. With all piled on our plates, sometimes we need a bit of refocusing.
Wisdom, thank you.
I was about six when my mother took me to one of the local elementary schools. I got the polio vaccine in a sugar cube. I don’t remember having a polio shot after that, although I may have had. First was the Sabine vaccine, then the Salk. My father was a doctor and didn’t question the need or the efficacy of the vaccines.
Oh Gid, I remember the polio years in the Same way, living in first Eastern Europe and then Austria and England.
I was in an iron lung, later but as part of TB not polio–I would not wish that on an enemy, but I hope that I have none.
My husband and I recently tried to list any people we thought of as enemies. I had three–all dead now = nature’s own revenge. My husband had two, one now dead.
We thought how petty this was/is and tried to clear our hearts. It was a very worthwhile conversation.
Every morning, I try to think about the things I am grateful for in life and write down a list of them. Today, my list includes the availability of a covid vaccine for children. Perhaps there really is light at the end of this long tunnel.
Hi, Jon. Not writing about the miracle of vaccines, but about the human goodness you so movingly celebrate. This morning I saw a post on FB describing a shining example of human decency and heroism intimately connected to your new Leica. The Leitz family, its manufacturers, realized as early as 1933 that the Holocaust was on its way. They immediately began smuggling their Jewish employees out of Germany with the ruse of “assigning” them to their various offices overseas. Did those office actually exist? Doubtful. A significant number came to NYC, where they were given a stipend while they looked for jobs. The post mentions a book, “The Greatest Invention of the Leitz Family: The Leitz ‘Freedom Train,” by Rabbi Frank Dabbs Smith of California. I haven’t looked for it yet, but it certainly sounds like something that deserves finding!
Yes, I’m familiar with the Leica family history, it makes me love my camera even more..