When I’m at the gym, I listen to my iPod with such intensity that I typically have no clue what is going on around me. It’s the only way for me to work hard – I need the rhythm. There are tv screens all over the place – your eyes can’t avoid them (probably a good thing, so you don’t end up staring at other people – that would just be weird for everybody). So the news is on…I’m reading that the President’s dog needs to go on a diet. Ok, we’ve had three Portuguese Water dogs, I love the breed, Bo is adorable. Cute piece. There was some discussion about who was going to replace Regis Philbin on a morning talk show. Yawn…Some guy wants to be on a dance show…Prince Harry playing in Vegas…I begin to look down, nodding in time to The Killers.
The screen switched to the in-studio couch and there is a glowing African-American woman sitting there. She is in cancer remission due to a bone marrow transplant provided by an anonymous donor. Her smile was wide, her warmth palpable. In the wings her husband was grinning and taking pictures, her children watching seriously as she anticipated meeting the donor for the first time. This woman was extraordinary in spirit and determination, yet clearly with a lovely, soft touch. Finding donors for African-American leukemia patients is particularly difficult, with a smaller percentage of donors, and matches few and far between. And though she remained hopeful, by the time she received the call that a donor had been found she was exhausted. Her donor was a 100% match – incredibly rare indeed. We learn that the donor is a senior in college, and he is then introduced. A handsome young white guy. I’m watching, the music in my ears is now Greg Allman’s “I’m No Angel” and tears are streaming down my face. These two marvelous people, hugging and recognizing the heroic proportions of their story. He saved her life; she fought to live. And the words that kept repeating across the bottom of the screen “I love you” “I love you too” “I love you”…
This isn’t a pitch to become a bone marrow donor (though I think if you can, it’s a wonderful thing to do). Nor is it a recommendation for morning television (remember before this story, I was reading a ticker dealing with Bo’s weight, Regis Philbin and a reality dance show – which in and of itself is an oxymoron, but whatever). What stayed with me was the sheer beauty of two people from different places, of different ethnicity, age, marital status etc, being perfect for each other in the most life affirming way possible. Put all else aside – the derisiveness of the US political campaign rhetoric, the divisions we create to further our own sense of rightness (or leftness), the preconceived notions we may hold about/against others. Put it away. It doesn’t help you or anyone else. On the contrary, it diminishes the fundamental reason why we’re all here at the same time. To make one life better maybe? To love our family and our friends without qualification? To feel the wonder and power and humility that comes with knowing that each of us can change the course of another person’s life by a word or deed? I’m done – this is going to become trite and drenched in a syrupy clichéd concoction and that’s the last thing I wish for you to take away from this. I hope it makes you feel good, and warm, and important to many – even those you may never know. “And it’s ever present everywhere…” Enjoy.
Waiting for the Karma Truck 
I love this message and the woman delivering it. It IS ever present everywhere, Van had it right there. How I ever thought my life was complete without you in it is beyond me. You inspire my inspirations…you are one in a million Mim and before you argue…you are one in MY million. ok?
Thanks for the lift.
xo
R
I will happily be one in your million..no argument there my friend – none..xo
Good…would do you no good.
xo
Rofl…I raise the white flag!! xo
We will meet in October to discuss ‘terms’! 🙂
I will come prepared…my understanding is that you can be bought off with a little vino…:-)
shhhhhh…that is a secret! dang!
oops…
The music and the message connect beautifully. No surprise. Once again, my tears flow as my heart sings with the promise of humanity.
It’s music that is far more gratifying than the grating drone of the news, that’s for sure!! Safe traveling sweetie..xo
Mimi,
You know it really is ever present everywhere.
Always a joy to come your way.
Tom
Happy to have you come visit Tom – thank you!! And yes, it is…we just have to remember what we’re a part of..
Loved it Mimi! thank you for sharing it with us…beautiful story indeed.
It certainly was…:-)
Great message. It is soooo easy to fall into the trap of creating divisions based on trivials. For example, I am of the completely wrong generation to appreciate some of the looks our young people choose(remembering at the same time how incredibly upset my father was with me when I pierced my ears!) and yet, once I get past that initial, silent “why would you do that?”, have enjoyed the insight and perspective gained in conversations. My life is richer and hopefully they also benefit in some way. Open mind, open heart …
exactly…and my dad was horrified when I get my ears pierced too…:-)
thats excellent mim thank you for sharing this i just hope there are more like him who also choose to become donors i used to give blood.- not much compared to what he gave ;- but they wont even take that off me now pfffft well unless they gonna test it that is,
i remember going -to give blood-a few years back now it was and i was all prepped and ready to give and i laid back prepared to relax while they took me blood, and as i looked up at the ceiling i noticed lots of tiny spots and spatters of blood , all over the ceiling, not in vast amounts like there was some kind of mass murder, no just enough patterns on the ceiling to keep some one with an active imagination wondering and worrying for the half hour they had me there for 🙂 it didnt really make a person feel comfortable! still gave it anyways 🙂 thank you for this lovely post as always i love how you pick up on the things that really matter in life have a great evening my lovely xxx
I used to give blood too – but can’t now because of too many meds in my system…I would have freaked if I had looked at the ceiling though and seen all that splatter..you’re a braver girl than I my sweet…have a restful night..xox
Another stellar post, Mimi! I, too, frequently find myself at looking at /listening to the drivel on morning TV while at the gym and thinking “Really?!”. A heartening story like yours is so refreshing! It takes so little effort to be kind and loving toward one another. You truly NEVER know when something you’ve done can help another in a huge way, when a kind word or a phone call might be the glimmer of light the recipient needed at just that moment. I don’t weigh enough to give blood, but I am on the marrow donor list and my license indicates that my organs are “marked for another round” if someone can use them. If we can’t be kind to each other, what hope do we have? Love you, lady, for your kindness and so much more…. Xox
When I donated blood for my dad and my uncle, I took twenty rolls of quarters to put in various pockets so I could pass the weight test! I’m an organ donor too..And on far smaller scales, our approach to others can literally change a lousy day, or make a good day better…love you too Lori..oxo
What a beautiful message!
Beautiful. And you never know what your words will do. About a year ago I read a moving blog post about a little girl with leukemia and the blog had a link to DKMS, the world’s largest marrow donor center, and I signed up. I carry my donor card with me in my purse and, while I hope no one to sickness, I do hope I get that phone call someday where I too can make such a huge difference in someone’s life.
Why not help others while we are here?
It’s the way the cycle of our lives should be…
Mimi, this is beautiful!
Thank you so much!
A Van Morrison tune I haven’t heard. A new find. Love it! (BTW, I too blast my iPod when working out. Need a distraction)
One of my favorite Van songs…glad you liked it! I’d say it louder but I’m assuming you don’t read WordPress comments while working out 🙂
I saw the same piece this morning, it stopped me in my tracks. There is nothing more uplifting than watching true joy on the face of someone else…gets me every time.
Me too – and given the dearth of anything worthwhile to read on the ticker, the sheer force of this piece was awesome!
Beautiful, as always. I love how you find beauty in every day things. Sounds like a truly inspirational story! Thanks for sharing!!
Sometimes you have to sift through a lot of nonsense..but those stories are out there!! 🙂
What a wonderful story! I think my faith in humanity is (at least temporarily) restored. What are the odds of a %100 match from someone not even in the family line anywhere? Thanks for making my night/afternoon/morning (whatever it is) noticeably brighter. 🙂
Well it’s 2:50AM here – and I’m off to sleep for a while I hope..:-)
What an incredible story Mimi – and you are right, it is a beautiful reminder of how GOOD we can be, and that it doesn’t matter who we are or where we come from; we all have the power within us to be good to each other.
When I lived in another city, I donated blood on a regular basis, they used to call me in because I had some rare antibody in my blood that someone needed on a regular basis. I remember feeling really useful, and valued for something I certainly couldn’t take any credit for. When I moved from that area, I remember feeling like I wished I could apologize to that person whomever they were. I am reminded/inspired to get back on track again, I’ve gotten out of the routine.
Such an inspiration – you made my evening! xo
Given how often you have made mine, I’m glad I was able to give one in turn to you..:-)
Mimi – As Van said, ” it’s everpresent everywhere” . Nice posting. Be well my friend
Thanks Bill – love the song and love the belief that it truly is ever present everywhere. Is there a more comforting, unifying feeling than that?
Warm love, indeed! Thank you for sharing this story and these reminders, Mimi.
Russ
It was my pleasure – the story filled me with such joy and the hope of all that is possible..
What a fabulous empowering piece! I am truly humbled by your words and that I read them here from a friend at WP does no longre surprise me. Nor that they came from you. I have not needed to know you long, I have known you my whole life.
Having a chronic illness that one day I pray they find a cure for inspires me to participate on as much research as my illness alows. It is the one thing that blurs out the rude fact that illness alone can take a person down in a heart beat.
I advocate for transplant vounteers, research and studies. Do your own research See Your Own doctor first, but what an awesome way that we can give back. I truly believe it is we who are given the gift.
Thans my friend for an inspiring post ~ BB
We have known each other a long while haven’t we BB? What a wonderful thought that resonated with me…:-) Yes, you have to be your own advocate, learn all you can, question and don’t stop. And give..however one can – that’s why we’re here. xox
I do believe all our lives Mimi. I can feel your energy throough your words, if that makes any sense to you. I have found in you a kindred spirit I am certain.
It is why we are here. Just so you know. You hvave given me much already. ~ BB
It totally makes sense, for I can feel your heart in your words as well…and yes, kindred spirits indeed. And that is a gift for which I have inestimable gratitude..me
Ditto to you ! 🙂
What a heart warming story, Mimi. Just beautiful. Selfless acts are miracles. I bet this story touched many people. That reminds me, to pull my act together and donate at least blood. thanks for sharing this one.
🙂