WHITE BLOOD

I don't think I've ever told you about when I went into the hospital with my rupture. At the time we didn't know exactly what was going on. They told me that I needed surgery, but they weren't sure where I was bleeding. The surgeon came in and told us I would need a transfusion. I was in extreme pain. I have a very high pain tolerance, but this was getting so bad that towards the end I couldn't stand up straight. Needless to say we were all worried. We didn't know what was going to happen.

Then the nurse comes in. I couldn't tell you what she was doing, because I do not remember. The only thing I remember is what she said to us. (Mind you my husband and I are white people, and the nurse was a white lady). As she was getting ready to walk out of the room she put her hand on my leg and in a very reassuring voice said, "Don't worry, we'll try to get you some white blood. We don't want to give you any black-people blood." And then went onto to make some remark about craving "black food". My husband and I stared at her for what seemed like forever. I was so dumbfounded. I didn't know what to say. I believe I said something along the lines of not caring where it came from, as long as it was going to keep my heart pumping. At that point I think she realized that she said that to the wrong people, stammered something, and then got the hell out of the room. She never came back. It was so appalling to me, and even now thinking about it I can not believe that she said that to us. It just blows my mind.

I have family members from every color of the rainbow. My brother and sister are Asian. It's not something I even think about, so when people meet them for the first time they are often confused, and I have to explain to them that, yes, that black haired girl is my sister! My brother in law in Mexican. As a matter of fact, he started out his life as a migrant worker. He worked his way up in the company he's been with for about 30 years. He's made a great life for himself, and you couldn't meet a nicer guy. My cousin married a black guy, and they have three kids together. I could go on and on.

Which brings to the point of this post. I find it really appalling when people make nasty comments regarding our new president. I've heard a couple off-handed comments, and it drives me insane. Usually I have a quick comeback, or say something to make the person feel like the moron they are. I always make a mental note of it, and I never forget. People who say those things are not anyone I want to have anything to do with. Because I know that is how they truly feel, and I don't share those views.

I guess I feel the same way about our new president that I felt about the people who donated their blood to me: I don't care who they are or where they came from- they can save my life and get me out of the trouble I'm in- and I AM GLAD!