Events indelibly mark the future

My contribution in this week's print Herald Express - My day started with a very sharp needle being jabbed into my upper left arm, by a rather nice lady. As a septuagenarian, I have been told that vaccination is increasingly important. I am a trusting bunny and believe that to be a truth.

This early morning jab was the flu vaccination. I remember, many years ago, getting zapped by flu and it wasn’t very nice. Back then the doctor came to the house when told that a patient couldn’t get out of bed.

I couldn’t get out of bed and actually had trouble lifting my head off the pillow. It took a number of days to go from the horizontal to the vertical and that is why I am at the front of the queue when the flu vaccine is offered.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated, in 2020 that “Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses.”

A week or so ago, I also wandered along to the surgery for another ‘sharp’ in the arm. This was the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus vaccination) for those over 75; and in a week or so I will be lining up at the ERC in Torquay for my next Covid booster vaccination.

I think you either accept that all this is for the greater good or you make your own way and don’t offer your arm up as a human pin cushion. A friend of mine is very anti all these vaccinations and worries that we have all become laboratory rats for the big pharmaceutical companies.

I do not accept that theory and will continue to take whatever is on offer!

Apparently, I had an uncle who died from Diphtheria, as a child, back in the year dot. The vaccination programme has resulted in a 90% decrease in the number of cases globally between 1980 and 2000.

People are concerned about vaccinations and yet the rise in whooping cough among unvaccinated children must be a worry. It certainly worries me.

Of course there are side effects from any vaccination, and on my desk next to me I have a sheet of paper listing possible reactions from my recent jab. I have made my decision and am grateful for the vaccinations.

The other day, I joined pupils from Sacred Heart primary school for the harvest festival mass. It was a wonderful service, in the church next door to the school, and listening to young voices echo around the church filled my spirit.

Three of my grandchildren were there and watching their eyes light up when they noticed granddad was so wonderful. Time passes so quickly and through half closed eyes memories of my own experiences seemed to link.

Primary education is a precious time and events indelibly mark the future. To be quite honest I didn’t have a particularly pleasant time in those early years at school. Kindness in the classroom back then was a rarity.

Watching these young children bringing gifts for those in need was uplifting. The purity of their young intentions moistened my eyes. Keeping that precious gift of love for others is so important as they grow.

A lesson for all of us. Seek the light rather than the darkness, and perhaps we can help to make this world of ours a friendlier place.

Let us start by keeping the smile! ?

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