I finally got my gallon pin!For somebody who's not big on blood sucking, letting or shedding, this is a big milestone, and I'm here to tell you, it hardly hurt at all.
My daughter and her husband got our Christmas Eve family blood donation tradition going several years ago. Clyde and I had been donating off and on long before--for me, it's been a private way to honor each of my parents' birthdays in December and June--but Elizabeth and John now rally the troops and make it a family event in honor of John's grandmother on December 24, which is also my parents' wedding anniversary. Elizabeth had to work this year, so she "gave at the office." (She actually went to the Memorial Blood downtown branch on over her lunch hour.) We usually have about a dozen people donating, followed by brunch at John's mom's home. It's nice to have company. You get to calm a little, tease a little, pat each other on the back, and celebrate family--past, present, and future--and do it all through blood. You know me--I love the symbolism!
Mind you, I don't like needles. Years back I did extended hospital, surgical, touch-and-go time with every vein in my arms, wrists and hands used for IVs until I was black and blue from shoulders to fingertips. A few years later Elizabeth burst into the world like a shrieking cannon ball, and I needed a blood transfusion. She loves to tell this story on blood-letting day. "And this is why Mom and I like to give back." Like she remembers.
Every once in a while over the years I've failed to make the cut for lack of iron, and last year I got a trainee who failed to strike red until the third try. I was quite pleasant about it, if I do say so. After all, I'm remembering Mama. "That's all right, honey, you've almost got it." This time out I didn't feel a thing until I got out of the chair, and then I regretted ignoring the drink plenty of water beforehand reminder. Especially when we have less than zero moisture in the air around here now. So I had a little case of the dizzies, but nothing a couple of bottles of juice and a slice of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting couldn't cure. Memorial Blood Center usually feeds well. And did you know that one pint of blood can save three lives?
So that's one of our cool holiday giving traditions. I love Lois's new tradition of recycled and homemade gifts. I love the role that traditions and memories play in our holidays. And stories. And storytellers. How about you?
Oh, and we followed brunch with a movie. Australia is the same as my blood type--A+
My thanks to Mint Kunkel for this fresh-from-the-camera photo.