Doing My Part...

Handsome drove me to my appointment at the blood bank yesterday. We went to the drive-in near home on the way back, too. After donating a pint, I needed something to eat, and he was ready for a meal, too.

The cool part is that when we stopped at the drive-in, we ran into the friend for whom I made the directed blood donation! He told me more than once how much he appreciated that I'd done that for him. Handsome and I have been friends with him and his family for about forty five years. There was never a question that I would help if I could.

When we got home, I drank lots of water to "refill my tank", and I was really tired, so I went upstairs and took what turned into a four hour nap. I didn't fight it either, knowing I work again today.

We're going to vote in our Wisconsin primary before my shift begins, and then I'll be on my feet for most of the next six hours. I'm pretty sure I'll be zonked out in my chair within an hour of getting out of my work duds and into something more comfy. I'm actually looking forward to it.

What's on your agenda today? 

The Gift of Life...

I'm off to the blood bank first thing this morning. My blood type is O negative, the universal donor type. Anyone can use my blood. Local hospitals are desperate for donors this time of year, so I give blood every time I'm asked - and they call me as soon as I'm able to donate again (usually every eight weeks).

I'd planned to be working in the studio for a while and then spend the rest of the day listing up yarn and other needlework supplies on eBay, but my plans will be delayed in favor of helping out by giving a pint.

I've been donating blood since before we moved to Florida. One annual ritual is something I do every Christmas Eve Day. I'm usually out running my last-minute holiday errands so the last thing I do before heading home is to go to the blood bank and give one last gift to someone I'll never even meet...the person who will receive the donation I leave behind.

Last year when I was in Boston, I donated blood at Brigham and Women's Hospital where Handsome was a patient. I was told that they have a large neonatal area in their facility, and that my donation would be used to help up to ten - TEN! - premature babies. Now, you have to know how good that made me feel.

If you're not a blood donor yet, perhaps you'd like to consider giving the Gift of Life. It doesn't take any longer than filling out a bit of paperwork and the time it takes to fill a one pint bag. You may help a person who needs a transfusion due to a surgery or accident, or babies in need of a boost. Either way, you can feel good knowing that someone in medical need will benefit from your generosity.