For Mother’s Day, I Want My Daughters Vaccinated
By: Brenda Mahler
Tags: Mothersday, Motherhood, Mothers And Daughters, Covid, Love

For Mother’s Day, I Want My Daughters Vaccinated

Image from author’s photo album.

Life has always since they were born, revolved around my daughters. They are my world. At the ages of 35 and 33, they don’t need me as much but I still need them. When something funny happens, I call them. Yesterday, I shared a story of our Yorkshire Terrier chasing a deer. They are my go-to people to discuss concerns because they understand words don’t solve problems but standing together provides support. Daily our phones ping with texts of memes, pics of grandchildren, and questions of what to do now. They are my best friends.

However, COVID placed a wall between us the last year that prevented us from visiting as much as before. We had to plan space to social distance and meet the CDC’s guidelines. I love them enough to be separated, and they love me enough to take precautions. Now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it may be time to pull the wall down. However, first, we all must be vaccinated.

Nobody’s life remains trouble-free. But when life hurls problems onto our playing fields, hugs, hand-holding, and supportive touch provide strength to make it.

Through heartbreaks, I sat on their bed as they cried themselves to sleep. I sat on the ground beside Kari when the paramedics cut her pants off, and the police stopped traffic after she was discovered outside her wrecked car on the side of the road. We held Kat when the doctor announced she had cancer and celebrated when he declared her cancer free. They held my hand when my mother, their grandmother, passed away. We offered support when in the hospital as we confronted childbirth, a stroke, appendicitis, and depression. During the worst times, love was shared through touch which expressed compassion clearer than any words.

“Successful mothers are not the ones that have never struggled. They are the ones that never give up, despite the struggles.” — Sharon Jaynes

Last July, together but distanced, we stood outside my father’s hospital room and shared his last moments through the window. We waved, smiled, and blew kisses at him unable to caress his hand in his final days due to COVID. It sucked. I am sure every person has a story to share about the traumas presented during the pandemic.

Now, as each of us contemplates whether we should vaccinate or not, many considerations rise to the surface. Everyone will make the decision based upon their own beliefs, health history, and values. Just as a teacher wants every student to graduate for the satisfaction that they made a difference, or like a pastor desires the pews are filled with parishioners to share his message, I want my girls to be vaccinated so I can be an active part of their lives.

However, not all students graduate. Many live satisfied, fulfilling lives by following different paths. Walt Disney, Lucille Ball, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Nicole Kidman never graduated from high school but found success. Some highly respected people questioned faith or lived as atheists, yet they significantly impacted the world in positive ways: Stephen Hawking, Thomas Edison, and Albert Einstein.

As parents, we can guide our children in directions we believe will provide contentment and model behavior that provides us happiness. We can provide positive influences and make intelligent suggestions. In the end, children must follow their own paths, down roads that provide them happiness and satisfaction.

I will let them be little, fill their heads with laughter, help them grow wings, nurture their sense of wonder, inspire them to believe and love them like there is no tomorrow.” — Author unknown

Mother’s Day is only hours away. Would I like to spend the day partying with my daughters near, close enough to hold their hand? More than almost anything; however, not at the cost of taking away their individuality, rights, or encroaching on their priorities. This year virtual hugs will have to suffice.

I would never directly ask my daughter to get the COVID shot because that is a deeply personal decision. In fact, I will not share this post with them. I respect their choices but what I want for Mother’s Day is to embrace them, eat a meal with them in arms reach, and simply sit beside them and hold their hand. For now, I will cherish past embraces and smiles of the present while looking forward to future hugs.