The last time I will ...

I won't miss a lot of the 'lasts' as I get older - I'm looking forward to the last time I have to pump gas in my car, or change the oil. I like living in a townhome, and hope that I have mowed my lawn for the last time.

But this weekend, I reached a 'last time' that makes me sad - I donated blood for the last time. I've never enjoyed the experience - it's seldom comfortable, always inconvenient, and limits my ability to do anything active for a day or two. But, it's so very, very worthwhile. What an amazing trade-off - a bit of inconvenience on my side results in helping others to heal and recover. Who knows - I may have even helped save a life or two.

And, donating blood helps support a great organization - the Red Cross. There is a lot to be cynical about as we look at the world around us, but the Red Cross is America at it's best - a group of volunteers and donors that band together to help out in emergencies - just the basics, but it's the helping hand that we are always willing to give, and pray that we never, ever need.

But, no matter how helpful, there is a limit. I've known that this was coming - it's taken longer to recover, and it's been getting harder for the nurses to find a viable vein. This time, the multiple pokes left me looking like a junkie, and red stuff leaked all over the place. I've always been squeamish about blood - especially mine - so I am pleased to know that I reacted OK when there was a lot more leaking out than there should be. I didn't expect that.

So, it's time to hand the torch to the next generation. The Red Cross is really, really picky about who can donate. If you are in the small set of young, healthy, normal donors that qualify, I hope and pray that you will take up the challenge - you will make the world a better place, and you will be a better person for it. And, if you can't, donate what you can to help provide a blanket and cot, and a teddy bear for a suddenly homeless child.