Doing good even when faced with adversity

This Tuesday I donated at the blood drive at Grace Lutheran Church and honestly, I had a great time. 

This was my sixth time giving blood; it was the first time I’ve had nothing go wrong. Nothing usually goes super wrong, but apparently my veins are very difficult to find. Last time I donated, the person couldn’t find one in my left arm and ended up switching to my right arm. Even then the person couldn’t find anything and when he placed the needle, it was not in the right spot. They eventually had to call over their supervisor. It didn’t really hurt, I just felt bad that I was causing so many difficulties. Eventually they found the vein, but then my blood was going too fast. That may not sound like a problem, but I learned that when blood comes out too quickly, the Red Cross has to throw it out because it’s considered an accident. Thankfully, mine slowed down enough not to be an accident, but it was quite an eventful time. 

So on Tuesday, I was mentally prepared to be there for a while and to tell the person that I am sorry my veins are so difficult to find. Rachel was the lady helping me this time; she was an absolute gem. 

First she started by telling me to rub my hands together when we were at the table answering questions. This gets the blood flowing to your hands so that when the hemoglobin prick happens, the blood is good and it doesn’t read wrong (which I’ve had happen before, almost not letting me give blood). Rachel also told me to do the prick on my dominant hand, since that is the one used more often. Of course, Rachel was right and I passed with flying colors. 

Then she got me to a table and found a decent vein, telling me that she was going to make this time the best time yet, since I had informed her of my previous misadventures. Rachel was even able to get the needle in successfully on the first try, bless her heart. She joked that we weren’t paid enough to not have it go well, considering we all generously volunteer to give our blood. I didn’t tell her, but my payment is in the fruit snacks that are always provided. Besides the whole giving blood and doing good part, fruit snacks are my favorite part. Oh, and the juice boxes. I get done with giving blood and I rush to the table like a little kid to eat my fruit snacks and slurp down my apple juice juice in pure bliss. Sometimes I’ll stray and eat the Cheez-its or other crackers provided, but always fruit snacks. 

Everyone is so lovely whenever I give blood and I just want to thank them for all of their hard work. Even when I make their job extremely difficult by wanting to donate from my difficult veins, I appreciate their effort and positive attitude. What these workers do every day, to travel to different towns and spend all day talking with people while making sure they are comfortable with donating–it’s heroic work. 

I’m very much like my mother in doing so, but I love talking with the workers and asking them questions about their life. Sometimes I feel bad that I might be annoying them, but other times I just think that I’m trying to switch up their routine and provide some sort of entertainment for them. I learned that Rachel is a step-mother and worked as a paraprofessional in Lake Crystal’s schools. I learned that another girl working there has not attended college because she doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life. Somehow, I find ways to connect with all these people. It makes my day. My mom used to work in Lake Crystal and I am a college student also struggling with finding my way in life. 

Giving blood is so much more than giving blood. I learn about the little parts of people that they give me and I cherish them. 

My Determination: “What isn't clear is why people always say 'goes without saying,' yet still feel compelled to say the thing that was supposed to go without saying. Doesn't that bother you?” - Shawn Spencer, Psych