Today in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in Memphis, TN. This week 20 years ago, Kurt Cobain was found dead in his Seattle home, a gunshot would to the head. 2 weeks ago, a dear elder in my community, Myrna Thunderwolf, passed away from complications due to Hepatitis C. Today, I sat for 2 hours at the Puget Sound Blood Center and donated a bag of platelets. I learned that only 38% of USians are eligible to donate. I learned that only 8% of those eligible do. I learned that platelets only last 5 days and that there is always a need for them. I learned that platelets supports patients through reccovery from trauma, chemotherapy, burns and transplants. Some days, these days tear at our throats with wild horror. Some days, these days rip us apart with bright glory. Some days, I cant even with this body, with every lick of shame and curve and lack and struggle. But it is my body and I am alive in it. It is a well-oiled machine that creates the components of life. It is alive at a time when generosity can come out of one body, be preserved in styrofoam and plastic and ice, and delivered with precision and great love. I am grateful to have this kind of Able Body -- one who makes enough platelets to offer support through a suffering, through a healing.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 21:01:36 +0000
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