Circle

 

I  received my second COVID-19 vaccine shot, and I'd like to share my experience. The clinic was held at the Civic Arena here in St. Joseph. I went with my boss, the Executive Director of Community Missions Corporation. The clinic was designated for frontline healthcare workers, and honestly, I wasn't sure I truly belonged in that group. There were members of the Saint Joseph Fire Department, the St. Joseph Police Department, Buchanan County EMS, nurses, and many others.

Over the past two years of working with the homeless, I've met quite a few people. The director of the health department was there, and I said hello after receiving my shot. I also greeted a couple of other people I recognized. Despite these connections, I still felt a bit out of place. After all, I'm just a former homeless veteran who does a lot of volunteer outreach work.

However, that feeling was about to change. After getting your vaccine, you proceed to have your card scanned into the system. I took my card to a firefighter who was scanning them. I recognized him from the streets; I've been on scene for quite a few EMS calls. When I mentioned that I recognized him, his response was, "We are both part of the same circle." To be acknowledged, recognized, and accepted as part of his circle by a Saint Joseph firefighter truly made me feel good, almost as if I did deserve to be there.

Next, it was time to sit in the center of the Civic Arena to be monitored for 15 minutes to ensure there were no adverse reactions or allergies. There were about 40 or 50 chairs lined up in roughly 10 or 15 rows. My boss and I were escorted to the very front row to wait out our monitoring period. My boss seems to know everyone, and she knew the moderator, engaging in small talk. I sat there, letting the firefighter's comment resonate within me. Looking around, I realized I was sitting among a truly important group of people.

Then, the moderator looked at me and asked, "Didn't I see you on an interview or something?" Here I was, in the front row, in the center of the Civic Arena, among very important people in our community. I downplayed the question as best I could, simply answering that yes, I had done an interview once about the stimulus office. Even though I've done multiple news interviews, I didn't want any attention on myself because I felt the people sitting behind me deserved it more.

That's when my boss spoke up and told the moderator that I work for her. The moderator then turned to me and asked how I liked working there. I said I loved it but wasn't yet at my goal. And then, in front of everyone, she asked, "What is your goal?" With my boss beside me and at least 15 or 20 important people behind me, I said, "I want to work with Sheila again. I want to go back to doing Street Outreach."

So, on Tuesday, when I received my second shot to help prevent the spread of the virus and do my part for the community, I received so much more. I became an important part of our community, not just in my mind but in the eyes of others. It has been a lifelong goal of mine not to be overlooked but to be recognized and accepted. I met my goal! Now, I'm going to set more goals, not only for myself but for our community. In my silly little imagination, I feel as if I walked out of the Civic Arena with a sort of new endorsement. That's how my shot went.