{"data":{"id":"f4db46a5-1b14-4f47-a5e1-a92e0c4a9c38","updated_at":"2024-03-28T19:48:18Z","template_id":"73046548-86ec-431a-aca0-75b53bc936f3","localized":{"blocks":[{"id":"4acac728-f206-4527-8dcc-430f9c16a1f6","kind":"richtext","template_id":null,"content_html":"

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues across the country, this vaccine experience is proving to be quite different than others before it. Author Mike Drak and Booming Encore's Founder Susan Williams share their feelings about receiving the vaccine.

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Getting My Freedom Back

By Mike Drak

Last week I received my first vaccine shot and by all accounts everything went well.

But what really surprised me was the strong sense of freedom and gratitude I felt after getting the shot. This was something I haven’t felt for a long time.

The last time I felt like that was after being kicked out of my banking career and discovering that I was financially independent and didn’t actually need to work anymore.

The pandemic reminded me of what true wealth is.

One thing the pandemic reminded me of is that the highest form of wealth is not owning a Ferrari, or a home in the South of France. It’s about having strong loving relationships with family and friends, about being in control of our life and being healthy enough to do whatever we want with our time.

What I plan on doing now that I have my freedom back.

I feel a heightened sense of responsibility to our community and feel a strong need to give back in some fashion. Because of the pandemic there will be a high level of unexpected job loss for older workers and many people will be forced to retire like I was.

When I thought about that it came to me that I could use my skills and past experiences to help people not just survive but thrive in the post pandemic world. That is why I am doing many free virtual retirement seminars these days and write and share articles on Booming Encore. It’s gives me a way to help people avoid all the stress and anxiety I went through trying to figure this retirement thing out.

I guess you could say I’m finally building my legacy and along with now having the vaccine, that feels pretty good.

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The COVID-19 Vaccine Delivers Mixed Emotions

By Susan Williams

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure about whether I wanted to get the COVID-19 vaccine or not. Even though I was now eligible, the vaccine being offered to me had suffered a negative media frenzy over potential blood clot risks. This information did cause me to pause and think.

But as the government started considering lowering the age threshold, my husband gently reminded me that if I did plan on getting it now was the time before the demand began to increase.

So I went.

Once I received the shot, I felt both relieved and melancholy all at the same time. I was relieved that I had taken some action to try and contribute to ending this pandemic by protecting both myself and those around me. But I also felt some sadness. It's hard to celebrate when you consider how devastating this pandemic has been for so many people.

There have been so many lives lost and so many families left feeling the pain of this loss.

We all witnessed the sadness of people who died alone because their loved ones couldn’t be with them due to the risk of infection. We watched the devastating impact COVID had in long term care homes as the disease raged through these complexes like wildfire.

There has also been the economic impact this pandemic has inflicted. Job loss, forced retirements, businesses closing their doors. All this will take years to recover.

Plus there were all the rituals and ceremonies that we used to take for granted that were suspended. Weddings, funerals, graduations and gatherings of any kind stopped for a period of time as we all tried to ride out this pandemic. Loneliness, isolation and mental health issues soon joined the challenges that became part of the impact felt by many.

As well, in some ways I felt guilty.

By all accounts I watched this pandemic play out in comfort from the sidelines. All my family was fortunate in that we were all able to work from home and ride out this pandemic safely. None of us were on the front lines of this disease fighting on behalf of us all.

But as I thought about the vaccine I just received; I did feel a large sense of relief. If the vaccine is the way out for all of us, then at least I felt that I was doing my small part to try and help move us forward. My hope is that the vaccine can soon outpace the disease and we will all be able to soon return to some sense of normalcy – whatever that may now be.

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