“Is this thing safe?”
“Safe as life,” Gansey replied.”
― Maggie Stiefvater, The Raven Boys

Yesterday I got the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. So far, zero side effects.

I didn’t want to take it, but at this point I feel I have to.  I want to resume life.  Not that I am not resuming life already.  

But I felt I needed to take the vaccine to be able to travel.  I need to go to Brazil and see my parents.   Brazil is a complete mess.  I am so sad and scared for everyone there.

I have been bombarded with opinions from all sides.  Some said take it, some say don’t.  Once I decided to take it, then, the question was which of the 3 available vaccines to take.  Which is more effective, which has the least side effects, etc

One can go insane if he/she starts listening to people’s opinion.  I read some publications that were sent to me, I pondered for weeks.  In the end I am followed my heart and gut on what I thought I needed to do.

I told a close friend that was trying to talk me out of it: “I am rolling the dice”.  He said: “I honor that”.

So, whatever you choose to do or not do, I honor that! 

“If we stay where we are, where we’re stuck, where we’re comfortable and safe, we die there. We become like mushrooms, living in the dark, with poop up to our chins. If you want to know only what you already know, you’re dying. You’re saying: Leave me alone; I don’t mind this little rathole. It’s warm and dry. Really, it’s fine.

When nothing new can get in, that’s death. When oxygen can’t find a way in, you die. But new is scary, and new can be disappointing, and confusing – we had this all figured out, and now we don’t.

New is life.”
― Anne Lamott, Help Thanks Wow