How I Lost my Brother to the Vaccine, and He Never Had Covid
I Was Overcome With Emotions, Mostly Sadness, When I Read the Text.
It was just before 1pm on a Tuesday afternoon. The text read-
“Hey man, I realize that I’m reacting strongly in regard to the vaccine stuff and it’s having me become more aware of how I’m responding, I do think it’s best that I take a step back and wish you the best and much love. I just think this is the right thing for me.”
This SMS came from someone I met 23 years ago while in boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. We’ve remained close 20 of those 23 years, and our bond has become even tighter over the last 5 years, as we’ve each grown personally. Both of us have helped one another through very difficult times of our lives, as well as navigated a 3 year hiatus during a period of our friendship. To dissociate with me over a vaccine, which is less than a year old, has me so curious. What does this say about our friendship if different viewpoints on something less than a year old can end a friendship of 23 years?
Shouting Matches w/ Loved Ones Over Vaccines?
I’m not naive to the fact that many relationships have been damaged by having different viewpoints on such a horrible pandemic event. My friend and I never had a single conversation on this topic where either of us raised our voice. In fact, we really only spoke about it a handful of times, and each time I came with —
“I respect your (and everyone else’s) right to make the decision about whether or not to get the vaccine.”
I’ll add, I’ve got plenty of friends who have chosen to get the vaccine, and I’ve not once challenged a single one about the decision. How can I? It’s their body/life, we all have different variables that go into making decisions, and we all live with different levels of fear. Much of this fear is orchestrated because of the power this emotion gives to the puppet masters over our society.
So, without a single “argument” it looks like I’ve lost someone I considered a brother — or was he just a friend? And, it wasn’t Covid, the vaccine was the cause of death.
Divide and Conquer
This is and has been the strategy for Team Purple (and our government) for generations. It is a strategy that has shown to be effective, and now it’s becoming even more polarizing. What I have learned, is to more you know who you are the easier it is to navigate this game of life.
BE MORE OF YOU!
Chime in or email me if you’ve had similar experiences, and tell us how you navigated it.
LYMI :)
Patricc
patriccinc@gmail.com
NOTE- As of writing this, I have not responded to the text. I (we) have no power over the stimuli, I (we) can only control how I respond; and, I’ve learned the more time in between the stimulus and response, allows for a less emotional (egoic) and more productive response.
