Today I took Wes to the county health building to get vaccinated for the H1N1 virus. People with Down syndrome have extra narrow nasal passages (and often weakened immune systems) so if he gets the flu and congestion it could be bad.

I took Wes close to his nap time, but I hoped we’d be in and out. That was before I saw the line that spilled out of the building, snaked through the parking ramp, and ended on the sidewalk outside.

That’s when I realized Wes wasn’t wearing shoes and I’d have to carry him.

Wes and I took our places and stood. And shuffled. And stood. And shuffled. And made small talk with the couple behind us. And stood more. And filled out paperwork with Wes in one arm and a clipboard in the other. And shuffled and stood. And played peek-a-boo. And stood some more. For over an hour and a half.

I wish I had a camera to snap a photo of the line winding through the parking ramp–more kids and crying babies and pregnant ladies than you normally see together, unless you’re at Disneyland, mashed together in a dim, gray concrete box. Then again, I probably won’t mind forgetting that image.

By the time we made it out of the parking ramp into the sunlight again my arm felt like it was going to fall off.

Then we were in the building, which was a huge relief. Until we turned the corner and entered The Longest Hallway in the World that held the Longest Line in the World.

Finally, finally, finally, we got our shots. I’m not sure I’ve ever been able to say I was happy to get a shot, but it sure was nice to be done at last.

Oh, and the best part? I get to take him back in four weeks for a booster.