Roses in December...

“God gave us memories so that we can have roses in December…”

~J.M. Barrie~

Whenever you hold an event whether it is a large party of some kind or simply attending church on Sunday, you are bound to hear amazing stories of how the people were in attendance. I would like to share with you several stories from the blood drive this past weekend.

The first story is about Taylor. We met this young man last year when he just happened to sign up for a blood drive as part of his family’s tradition of doing for others during the holidays. He had no idea when he signed up that the drive was in honor of Heather. Bill talked with Taylor while he was waiting and told him Heather’s story. This year Taylor was the first one to sign up for the event. Taylor also found out that he has a blood type that newborn babies need. He is a regular donor about every 12 weeks. He received a phone call in October asking for him to come donate blood. Taylor replied that he had a very special event that he had to donate blood for and would he be able to donate then if he did in October. They told him he would not and he declined the offer. Someone Taylor never ever met has made such an impact on him that he has to share in our event every year.

 The next story is about a couple that was simply going shopping at Arizona Mills Mall and his wife told him they needed to come donate blood. As he was donating he was talking with Bill and asked him if this was something special because of all the balloons and cake. Bill told him it was in memory and honor of Heather, our daughter, and it was her birthday today. This man then went on to tell about his 16 year old niece that had died of Leukemia about 5 years ago. They both were so moved by someone they have never met that he took my email and said they would be back next year to donate again.

   Heather’s piano teacher, Fran, said this was the first time she had ever been able to donate an entire unit of blood. Our youngest was one of Heather’s first students when she began teaching piano. This was Kale’s first experience and we hope that at 16 he is very proud of the hero in him for helping people this season. Steven was not too sure about giving blood but managed to look away the whole time and gave a power red (meaning he nearly gives 2 units). We were very thankful to David our good friend who came before work and give a power red in 23 minutes. The techs said it might have been a new record. We had several first time donors with Jenn, Wendy, Naomi, Barbara, Sarah and Annette. Repeat donors are Tom, Bill, Alice, Julie, Kerry, Judy, Jason, Sarah, Carla and Ann. Those of us that tried and were not able to make it past the interview process for high pulses, or antibiotics will try again next year.

Wendy chillin'

Jenn was successful this time

I am very proud to announce that Heather’s Birthday Blood Drive collected 30 units of blood, 9 of which were power reds. We had 38 people sign in and try to donate. In two years we have collected a total of 47 units of blood, and 15 sets of power reds. I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of everyone who comes to donate, everyone who tries and everyone who shows up to support us on drive day.

Steven looks away

Kale found the Hero in him....

This year was different than last year and maybe it was because the drive was on Heather’s actual birthday. I woke up Saturday morning and wanted to cancel the whole day. The amount of gloom and not wanting to face the day was weighing heavy on me. As I lay in bed for a few more moments, I began to think of everyone who might need blood this season and decided I needed to get up. The day went remarkably well and we did not have any problems. The staff with United Blood Services was thrilled with the amount of blood we were able to donate. I made sure that everyone signed a balloon that came during the day and even the staff signed this year. The highlight of the day is at the end when we release the balloons. There is something so healing about holding a balloon, letting go and watching it drift towards heaven. It almost feels like Heather reaches down and gathers them to read in heaven.

Snookie naps after too much party

 

The day was over nearly as fast as it had begun. It was a good day but a very difficult day. The questions that surround this day seem a bit crazy to me. After I have celebrated the 3^rd birthday without Heather has it gotten any easier?…that answer is NO!!! Not only NO!!! But in some ways it feels like this year was more difficult. She has been gone longer. A birth-day is a joyous day when a new baby comes into the world. Each year after the birth-day, I would plan a party to celebrate the day Heather was born. From Minnie Mouse, to Belle, to a formal tea party, to the final celebration at Disneyland, each birthday had cake, balloons, gifts and spending the day with my girl. Now, I have memoires of each of those birthdays, photos of them as well, but no girl to share it with. Heather will remain 21 forever, even though her birth-day continues to come round each year.

A few have asked if we should be dwelling so much on Heather and maybe we should move forward. I have news for everyone…we have moved forward in great leaps and abounds according to other grieving parents who can barely function years after their adult child died. I think personally I am allowed to be sad, or grieve or go back to the past on heather’s birthday and her death day. In my way of honoring and remembering Heather we saved over 90 lives this holiday season. My gift was a gift to other in memory of Heather. Honestly if she were here, she would have been walking up and down the bus making jokes at everyone who had needles in their arms and saying “you can’t stick me, I had mine…ha ha ha..” She would be very proud to know that we are doing something so positive to help the entire community on her birthday. How many of us can say that about our own birthdays?