Yesterday my life came straight out of a TV show. At least that’s what it felt like. I wanted to live the day over again and make sure people were catching it on camera and writing down all the thoughts running through my head.
Right when I got to school, I learned that a boy I knew in junior high and moved away two years ago had shot himself on Friday night. It was such a horrible story and he was so young. All I could do was imagine what was going through his head and how he was feeling. I couldn’t even fathom being in such a terrifying situation. I’m a crybaby, so of course I did my best not to burst into tears. I held it in and hoped for the best during the rest of the day.
By the last hour of school, my mind had wandered to other things such as the school blood drive. Last year I forgot to sign up and I was so angry with myself. I wanted to give blood so badly. Needless to say, I was totally bummed. This year I made sure to sign up and I was crazy excited about it. During my last class, I spent my time in the gym going through the whole process. It didn’t really hit me until the needle was in my arm; I was really doing this and I loved it. I didn’t watch the staff lady stick the needle in, I just felt it. But then I looked over at the boy next to me and made sure to watch the needle go in and watch the tube fill with blood (the boy couldn’t stop laughing after it went in. It was hilarious). It was amazing to watch the blood flow and know that it was for something good. Then the staff lady told me I was done, she just wanted to “fill some extra vials”. I watched closely as she poked the other end of the tube into each vial and my blood squirted furiously into the tiny vial. That was when I fully realized how amazing of an experience it was.
I’m a healthy, blood-pumping, life-giving human being. I was doing a good deed that could possibly save a life. Something as simple as my blood could keep someone from dying, and it didn’t hinder me one bit. I cannot get over how amazing that concept is. While I watched the vials fill up it took all my energy not to, once again, burst into tears. The whole life-saving concept really got to me. I managed to compose myself long enough to let the lady finish. This was easily one of the most memorable moments of my life so far. Easily!
It wasn’t until a few hours later that I realized how the experiences of my day correlated. One — hearing that someone I knew had ended his own life — was something that couldn’t be a more horrifying experience. The other was one of the most humbling, positive things I’ve ever been a part of. Both of them, being polar opposites, brought out extreme emotions in me. It really was like something out of a TV drama, am I right? Anyway, enough about my emotions. On to the pictures!
The cots were really quite comfy. You can tell by Brandon’s expression.
The needle actually hurt for me. It was worth it though! This was the boy next to me who couldn’t stop laughing.
See? Ouch.
Afterwards, we were given PB&J’s and chocolate milk. My friend Lacey also gave blood.
Yay! I gave blood!
One pint of blurd. Oh, I mean blood.
