To Begin A New Year

January 1, 2004

Don, our Sarasota Unitarian Universalist minister, told a story in his December 21, 2003 sermon which keeps recurring in my consciousness. Why? Because it is an inspirational story at the highest human level. Here’s how it goes:

An eight-year-old girl has a serious, possibly fatal illness and needs a blood transfusion. She has a rare type of blood, and a matching donor cannot be found. Then it is discovered that her six-year-old brother has the same rare type blood.

So the boy’s parents sit down with him and explain how his blood is needed for a transfusion in his sister which might help to make her well. The boy listens and doesn’t reply immediately. He says he wants to think it over.

Th next day he tells his parents he is willing to give blood. The doctor wants the boy to understand the process and puts two cots side by side. Then he draws a half-pint of blood from the boy and tells him to watch as the syringe transfers the blood into his sister’s vein.

Very soon her color improves and she looks better, obviously responding to the transfusion.

The doctor says to the boy, “See how you are helping your sister get well. Aren’t you glad you gave your blood?” “Yes, I am,” replied the boy. Then he asks the doctor, “How soon do I die?”