thanks from twins

On New Year's Eve, I gave my fifth pint of blood for 2019.
Today, received this email from the American Red Cross.
(smile)

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Donations help save lives.

Earl and Merle
Earl and Merle have a lot in common. The 85-year-old twins both joined the Navy in 1954, they share a love of fishing and they've even both had wives named Kay. They're also both blood product recipients.

After a cancer diagnosis 24 years ago, Merle needed multiple blood products as part of his treatment. As part of his ongoing treatment, he has needed periodic transfusions, most recently this past December.

Over the last year, Earl needed four to six units of blood every two weeks to treat heart valve and gastrointestinal bleeding. To date, he has received 156 units of blood products.

The brothers and their families are grateful to donors – like you – without whom they wouldn't be alive today.

"My kids have a grandpa because of donors," said Earl's daughter-in-law, Angela. "It would be so wonderful if everyone who can give would do so!"

Merle's daughter, Teresa, shares the same sentiment. "I wouldn't have my dad or my uncle if it weren't for people donating," she said. "I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Donors have given them the gift of life and their families more time to spend with them. I have had years with my father that would not have been possible without these donations."

Thanks to the generosity of donors, recipients like Earl and Merle can continue to make precious memories with their families. When you donate blood products, you help give hope and healing to those who face life and death challenges. Your generosity can help change lives and keep families together.

Make donating a family affair! Invite a loved one to spend quality time donating blood products together.
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What a wonderful message to start this new year!

the trick is to keep breathing

The holidays can be pretty hard when you're an orphan, regardless of your age.
I've been without Mama since 2 January 2001 and without Daddy since 26 April 2009.
Sigh.
This marked the third Christmas that Bob Wiley has spent without his mom.
I'm not sure how long ago it was that his dad died, but it's been more than ten years.
I do know that Sam Johnson was still alive, and Sam's great heart stopped a week before my father's did.
Bob's family was small; now, there remains only his brother and himself.
Two nights ago, Bob almost took leave of this planet.
Fortunately, his step-daughter rescued him, but he is fighting an uphill battle against depression, despair, and desolation.
Now, he has a GoFundMe page to help him get back on his feet.
He isn't trying to amass a fortune... just $500 to get back on his feet.
I've chipped in, with hopes he will soon gain some solace.
The world is full of deep, dark sadness...
I try to not be part of it nor to give in to it.

Hang in there, Bob.
Tomorrow is on its way.