Today

   
      I once read in a book about pig raising something to the effect that the stereotypical slaughter day "dawns clear and cold." The same could be said of any "big event", more or less. I woke up to this today:

     
      There was, however, a lot that was happening before I went to get the titre test done.

      My mom and I had been planning on going down to the seat of the diocese today since last month for a Marian Movement of the Priests event at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. We arrived a few minutes late, but we were lucky, because they started thirty minutes late.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

      The "program" was children presenting flowers to Our Lady and consecrating themselves to her (three or four of the girls were wearing gorgeous, colorful Mexican dresses), Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with the Rosary, Consecration of Adults, Benediction, a procession around the Cathedral with the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, the priests' Consecration, and Mass.

Mural of the Immaculate Conception 

The statue of Our Lady of Fatima

       After Mass, we went to CVS, where I had made an appointment at the clinic. I had called ahead of time to make sure they really did do titre testing (I don't always trust websites). The whole thing was an automated message that first said, "If this is an emergency, hang up and call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room." Anyway, it did, indeed, tell me that this CVS clinic in the city to which we were going does titre testing (it's one of three in the area, which are the three CVS's with clinics nearest to where I live). Okay. I made an appointment just so I would be certain of having a place in line. I got called in early. The lady asks a few questions and gives me a very useful piece of information: "We don't draw the titres here."

      😑

      I don't even understand entirely how it works, but apparently, they give you a paper that you then take to the lab where they draw the titre, and you're supposed to know what lab you're going to ahead of time (I think), and it has to be one of two lab companies. I had no idea about any of this: where there was a lab I could go to that would do a titre, much less if it was one of the two she mentioned. The lady was nice and also had no idea where either of the towns close to where I live that I mentioned are. She was helpful, though, and found a lab where she thought I would be able to just walk in and get a titre done.

      It's a drug screening place, so I'm not convinced they would even be able to do a titre. Maybe. I'd have to call. I left CVS without having anything done (and without paying, fortunately).

      At least it wasn't a total fiasco: we were going to be down there anyway (a two-and-a-half hour drive both ways), and it didn't take much of my time. I also have come to a definitive conclusion.

      I don't know where the nearest place that draws titres is. I tried the local health department, but they don't. Also, titres are not cheap. I investigated my options and studied what the Church says. I have done as much as I need to do in order to make the right decision.

      After all my deliberation, I have decided just to get the varicella vaccine. I will have to at some point in my life if I'm going to work in health care, so it might as well be now. I'll do it once and be done with it. Holy Mother Church says it is not intrinsically immoral to receive this vaccine. I am following her teaching entirely. My conscience is clear.