One of the only things I wanted for Christmas was for my family to donate blood. I've donated fairly regularly for years. I'm "O" Positive and CMV Negative. I didn't really know what the CMV part meant but agreed to be tested once, years ago. Since then, much of my blood goes to the neonatal unit. Evidently, 50% to 80% of adults are positive....it means that they've had a one of several kinds of viruses at some point or the other in their lives and now have antibodies that fought it in their system.
This morning, only Steve and I were able to donate. Alex is afraid and Mathias woke up with a sinus headache and a running nose. He might try later. Why was this so important to me? Months ago...in July...a little girl, Madeline Willoughby Lester, in Seattle went to Children's Hospital for a heart operation. My blogger friend Nikki wrote about it on her blog. Maddie's mother is Nikki's best friend. I've followed Maddie's ordeal and her parents' overwhelming love, faith, and story ever since. Maddie needs a heart transplant. The only thing I could do was GIVE BLOOD! Not directly to Maddie...there's too many miles and too much "red tape"...but for every one needing blood this Christmas time.
For me, this is the best way to celebrate all my blessings. Below, is Elements in Blue, Blessings. It's serendipitous that it was finished when I've been thinking most about blessings!
Yes, you are blessings. Merry Christmas! Mom and Dad
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome that you give blood... about two years ago I had to have to pints of blood and sitting there watching the blood go into me was such a deep feeling of gratitude to the person who donated it... The blood did its job well and I felt so much more alive... I am very thankful for that person who took their time to do this for a complete stranger..
ReplyDeleteSusan, you are one of the most generous people I know. A heart of gold. And yes...you can still be that wild, undomesticated animal! I love you!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm crying again. I first read your post before Christmas and started bawling. I couldn't come up with the words to thank you. It also didn't help that it was my husband's birthday and I was doing my nightly check up on Maddie before going to bed when I saw the email about your post. Thankfully I have an understanding husband since my state didn't fit with a romantic evening with the kids gone.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being such a blessing. I can't tell you how much of an encouragement you have been over the last you. Your friendship means so much to me!