Monday, April 27, 2020

No fear

Our son just called. The Fire Department asked for volunteers for antibody testing, so he went and had his blood drawn, and will have the results in a few days. New York is doing a big push on antibody testing, to see just how deep into the population covid has spread, though of course, there are all sorts of qualifiers and uncertainties with the results, like if my son tests positive for antibodies, does it mean he had it and has recovered, or that he has it now, but is exhibiting no symptoms. He has definitely been exposed at the firehouse, working alongside firefighters who later tested positive, not to mention all the unknown encounters on medical calls in the field. I'm thankful he feels healthy, and pray he stays that way. He joked with us on the phone just now, as we kept him company on his drive home from work, that he would be climbing the walls if he'd had to be in quarantine for six weeks already and that he's actually glad he has a job that requires him to get out there and be active every day. He has no fear, really. He just gets it done. That's our boy in the photo, not yet two years old, kissing the sky when his dad threw him into the air from the ocean. I love that you can tell he isn't worried about falling. He knew his dad would catch him.


19 comments:

  1. That photo is stunning! This unfolding story... your son is a brave man on the front line of this pandemic. My hand on my heart. My hands folded in Namaste. I send him good wishes and gratitude always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. robin, thank you for the folded hands, the Namaste, the good wishes winging his way. May the sum of all our good wishes keep him safe. He's a good man. love.

      Delete
  2. Why do dad's DO that? I swear, I have never seen a mother toss her child into the air. And yet, kids love it.
    I am so, so glad that your son is doing well, no matter what his antibodies may show.
    He IS fearless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary, right??? Never have I seen a mom throw her child in the air, but fathers, all the time. But my son loved it, i can still hear him squealing "daddy, again!" As for the antibodies, hard to know what they mean, whatever the result. I guess we're just gathering data right now. I hope someone who knows how this works is tracking it. xo

      Delete
    2. Thank you Ms. Moon for saying that! It's a beautiful photo, but I always wonder about the wisdom of throwing children in the air. But what do I know, not having any kids and all. There is a lot of joy in that photo.

      Delete
  3. what a fabulous picture! it will be interesting to find out your son's test results. whenever I hear about people complain about having to shelter in place, stay at home and how they are going stir crazy I always think of Anne Frank and what a bunch of whiny entitled specimens of the human race we have become, unable to entertain or self sooth ourselves. easy for me to say I guess since I've got a big yard and I can go out and about in my small town if I want.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ellen, I have been thinking a lot about Anne Frank, too, and of the people who hid in bathrooms for months during the Rwandan genocide. It's why, even confined to a small New York apartment, I'm so aware of my good fortune. Still, I'm glad there are people like my son. be well, friend.

      Delete
    2. after I posted my comment and just as I was drifting off to sleep it occurred to me that you might take my comment as a slight against your son and I want you to know that that was not even on my radar! your son is a role model for us all. and you be well too my friend.

      Delete
    3. ellen, I knew you didn’t mean it that way, no worries!

      Delete
  4. Thank you for the gift you are giving in sharing this sublime photo. Your son knowing that his father will catch him is a priceless treasure. I have been looking at this photo for some time now and will continue to be engaged with it for some time to come. I remember being just a little over 2 years old and being carried upstairs by my father to the apartment where we lived. I had to pretend to be asleep so that he would carry me. That is the only time I remember being carried by anyone. I wonder if your son's body memory holds that exhilarating moment at the ocean with his father. I applaud your son for his humor and honesty about how difficult it would be for him to stay home for six weeks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. am, you remind me that my kids used to do the same thing, pretend to be asleep in the car so that their dad would carry them, one on each shoulder, inside. I do think our bodies have sense memory, especially of love and fear. I am glad you have that memory of feeling carried.

      Delete
  5. Kissing the sky, I like that, and the photo. As you mention, it is confusing what the antibodies show; did the person have the virus and recover (and when did that happen), or does the person have it now but has no symptoms and will quickly recover. Confusion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terra, and there is a third possibility besides positive or negative on the antibody test, which is "inconclusive." That result feels like the worst one of all. But i suppose we have to start somewhere with the gathering of data. I am glad new york is trying at least.

      Delete
  6. That is a truly wonderful photo. The big guy throws our grandson in the air now and our grandson squeals with delight.

    I'm glad your son is still well and still working. It will be interesting to see the results of his test.

    Stay safe my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lily, i imagine being thrown in the air and knowing you will be securely caught and held when gravity returns you to earth must feel like flying. Oddly, I never once worried my husband would drop our children. He never once did. You stay safe, too, dear Lily.

      Delete
  7. Love that photo. Your son is very brave. There are so many brave people out there looking after us, so we can stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  8. A stunning photo indeed. Wow. Continued thoughts that your boy stays well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Boys like flight and this photo shows your son spread eagle. Great happy photo. The antibody testing seems to come with many unknowns. My hope is a positive result means immunity to the virus. This would be ideal for your son, especially because of his exposure as an EMS and fire fighter. Many thanks to your son for all that he is doing every day on the front lines. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  10. Such a joyous photograph! I think Dads do this because of their upper body strength. Usually we moms are the ones who protect our babies from bodily injury and so we wouldn't dream of this. The babies sure enjoy it, though, so the yin and yang of it creates a good balance.

    It'll be interesting to see his test results. There's so much that we're still learning about this thing. Sending peace and love to your entire family.

    ReplyDelete