On Saturday morning, we headed toward Scarborough Downs, a former horse racing site that has been transformed into a mass vaccination site. We arrived precisely when directed for Kurt’s first vaccine dose, and were immediately impressed by the clockwork precision of the many moving parts. We were directed from station to station by friendly, helpful workers, with minimal delay.
About 10 minutes after we arrived, Kurt had received his first dose and we were walking out toward the observation area. We followed the handy white arrows on the floor as directed (or so we thought). The couple in front of us was talking to a petite older woman, so we turned toward another cluster of official looking people with clipboards.
“Hey! Are you trying to jump the line?”
We turned and saw the woman, waving her clipboard at us.
“Oops! Sorry!” we said, and moved back toward her.
The couple moved along and she turned to us.
“I may be short, you know, but I can take you down,” she asserted, smiling, and we laughed.
“Oh, are you a mixed martial artist?” asked Kurt.
“No,” she said, without missing a beat, “but I have 8 brothers.”
“Oh,” Kurt replied, “Same thing then.”
She asked her questions and directed us to the check-out/appointment scheduling area. After we finished there, the next person led us over to a couple of chairs.
“Let us know if you’re not feeling good,” she said, “You’re free to leave at 10:34 if you feel fine.”
Kurt sat, and I wandered over to check out the big thank you wall of post-its.
I wandered along the wall, stopping and reading every so often. Each note expressed thanks, gratitude and hope. Many were short. Some told personal stories. Together they created a wonderful, positive outpouring from the community. With so many serious problems front and center, it’s easy to overlook the massive accomplishments of this time, and the efforts of so many individuals and organizations to make a difference. It felt so nice to see some of that effort acknowledged here. Also, so often these days, I find I can’t begin to wrap my head around what I see people saying and doing. This communal constructive wall of thanks, though, was something I could deeply appreciate and relate to.
On the drive home, I looked ahead of us and saw this vanity plate. Even though I wasn’t the one who got this shot today, it still felt pretty apt.
Nix the comfort zone 
So glad! ❤ Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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My kids are all scheduled for their first doses now, too. How’s the vaccine situation going for you? Any better?
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Love that license plate! My brother/sister-in-law live in Saco and got their vaccines at Scarborough Downs – I felt so connected, reading your post. Congrats! One vaccine at a time, this world is healing.
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I was so impressed by how well organized this clinic was!
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Love this wall of gratitude! I would have loved the opportunity to provide a little bit of tangible gratitude to all who have been working round the clock to provide vaccines for everyone. What a lovely idea. ALSO, that short, feisty woman made me chortle. Thank you for this slice.
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She was a hoot! Feisty is the perfect word for her.
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I’m glad your journey went smoothly. Loved the ‘tough little lady’ story and am amazed with the wall of post it notes. I LOVE it and sat zooming in reading several. Thanks for posting the photo.
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I’m so glad you zoomed in to read. I loved seeing all the different notes, styles of handwriting, etc. all expressing such hope and thanks.
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A true work of art!
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Yay for Kurt’s vaccination! My oldest son got his first dose yesterday–my youngest is still waiting.
I love that post-it note wall of appreciation. I saw a small one in a Starbucks yesterday! If only we spent more time focused on thanks…
Kim
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My kids are all scheduled for first doses right now, which is a relief! My oldest is getting married in June (postponed from last year) and we want everyone to be vaccinated before the big day.
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What’s the first thing you and Kurt will do when you two are fully vaccinated? Good luck Sunday! Will your oldest require everyone be vaccinated for the wedding?
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I don’t think Kurt and I have even thought about it. Re: the wedding–They’re asking everyone to be vaccinated or recently tested. I’m definitely a wee bit nervous about being at a gathering, but I’m pretty sure that almost everyone on their guest list will have been vaccinated by then.
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I’m glad you are finally seeing progress toward vaccinations. Love the colorful gratitude wall.
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Thanks, Margaret. Maine has done pretty well with vaccinating, but as the oldest state in the nation, it’s taken a lot of time up front to immunize the large population of elderly. Everyone 16 and up is eligible as of today and I’m scheduled for my second shot on Sunday. Woot!
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Wow, Molly! I’m so happy to hear you had a good experience at the vaccine clinic. I’ve been volunteering there a couple days a week and got a chuckle out of the different stations you described as you went. I have had the pleasure of directing folks to a spot in the waiting area and seeing the wall of gratitude grow has also been something that bolsters my positive vibes. It feels good to be able to contribute to such a vast effort and was an added bonus to receive my own vaccination from supplies left over at the end of one of my shifts a month ago (having just received my second dose 5 days ago) Thanks for sharing your experience here.
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How great that you’re volunteering, Amy! We really were impressed by how well organized everything was and by how friendly all the people working there were. I’m sure you’ve brightened many days during your volunteer stints. Thank you!!!
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I love how you included the pictures of the walls of post it note thank yous and messages of gratitude. What a great way to find positivity in the midst of so many other problems. And yay for progress on the vaccination front!
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It was a nice blast of positivity!
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What a great story about this positive vaccine experience. I hope it’s your turn soon. I love the rainbow wall of thank yous! So precious. Yes, I feel I am fortunate too–for getting this far, and that there is hope of light at the end. All the best!
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It’s so nice to feel hopeful :). I get my second shot on Sunday, so I’m well on my way to being fully vaccinated. Yay!
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