Photo by Karen Nazor Hill / With vaccines completed, a trip to see the California family is in order. From left are daughter-in-law Bonnie and granddaughters Misha, 2, and Charleana, 4. Because of the pandemic, we haven't seen them in person since Christmas 2019. We celebrated the girls' birthdays via Facetime.By the time this article is published, I will have had my second COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer's). I have never been so excited - and appreciative - of science as I am now.
As the mother of two Ph.D scientists, I have learned more about the coronavirus than the average person. My son Dr. Kit Nazor is chief business officer at Spatial Genomics in San Diego, and his previous work as proteogenomics business head at BioLegend in San Diego was named to the Top 10 Innovations list by The Scientist Magazine for contributions to COVID research. My daughter Dr. Karah Nazor teaches advanced biology at McCallie School.
Seriously, I don't think I ever said words like "prion" and "genomics" before my kids became scientists.
Please note, though, that when explaining something scientific to me, my children tone down the terminology so I can understand what the heck they're saying. And thanks to my years as a reporter, I ask lots of questions.
Getting my second vaccine is a really big deal to me.
I've been a champion at quarantining, and I'm ready to get out, albeit wearing a mask. I've got my post-COVID vaccine plan in place.
The first thing I'm going to do involves my three grandchildren who live next door, Tilleigh, 14, Evie, 10, and William, 8. I've told them to pack their bags because they're going to move in with me and my husband, Hank, also fully vaccinated, for the next few weeks.
Although Hank and I are fully vaccinated, it is possible that we could contract the virus. It would have little effect on us, but we could pass it to our grandchildren. So we will continue to faithfully wear our masks when out, wash our hands often, use hand sanitizer and, after being out in the world, take off our clothing before coming into our home.
I've missed the heck out of hugging, kissing, snuggling and holding my grandchildren. I don't care how big they are.
This trip across the yard with their luggage will only last the weekend - they're back in school after virtually schooling until last January. But it does mean they can start coming to our house anytime they want, just like they did prepandemic.
The second thing Hank and I are going to do in the next few weeks is book a flight to San Diego (when we know it's safe to fly) to see our son, Kit, daughter-in-law Bonnie and our little granddaughters Charleana, 4, and Misha, 2. We haven't seen them since Christmas 2019.
Since March 2020, Hank and I have become FaceTime regulars with our California family, thanks to computer scientists, researchers and engineers who developed the technology. Still, kissing your grandchild on a screen could never replace the human touch. I'm pretty sure Misha thinks her grandparents are iPhones.
The third thing I want to do post-vaccinations? Go to Walmart. Go ahead, laugh. I love Walmart. It's just a few miles from my home. It has everything I've been needing for a year, and I know where it is on every aisle (or I used to).
My next stop? Costco.
I just want my old life back.
Before too long, I'll also hit my other favorite stores, malls and friends' and family's homes. I'll get back into my prepandemic routine.
Still, the most important part of my life is family. Being retired, I have all the time in the world to devote myself to whatever it is that my children and grandchildren need. It is what I love. It is what I do. It is what I've missed the most in the last year. And, typically, I fly to California two or three times a year to be with my little girls.
My husband feels the same. Though not retired (he's a full-time attorney and part-time farmer), and working as hard as ever, Hank, 71, is wholeheartedly devoted to our family.
Our daughter and next-door neighbor, Kacee, is a single mom who appreciates our help with the children, especially when William and Evie have soccer games on the opposite side of town at the same time, or she needs a hand when someone is sick or just needs a break. We're there for her and the kids 24/7. It's not a chore. It's a privilege.
I raised my children next door to my parents, and nothing makes me happier than that Kacee is doing the same. The truth of the matter is it's a precious gift to Hank and me.
We are super close to our grandchildren. Our home is their home. They have their own beds, books, toys, games. Whatever they need, they have it in our home. Photographs of our five grandchildren and their art decorate our walls.
Still, I'm very aware that the pandemic is not over. Smart people will continue to wear masks until we're told by scientists, not politicians, otherwise.
Meanwhile, if you know me and see me out - at Walmart or Costco (insert smiley face), you'll never see me without a mask until we're told it's no longer necessary.
We're getting so close to the end of this horrific pandemic. Be smart. Listen to scientists. Wear a mask. There is light, finally, at the end of the tunnel. Let's get through this together.
Email Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com.