so much love, you'll want your tissues

O.K. friends, I'm not even sure where to start with this story. 

But maybe this post about my friend, Potts, is a good place to begin. 

And then you need to know that like every single one of us, I have had some challenging times in my life. I've tried to make courageous and hope-filled choices, and I've usually been rewarded with enriching life experiences. 

But I've never screwed up the courage to do something as simple as donating blood. I'm not sure what that's about. In May, there will be another blood drive to honor our beloved Erin, but it's happening way out in Illinois. So, the other day, when I drove by our town's Rec Center and saw the sign announcing a blood drive, I felt called to donate in Erin's memory. 

I registered online, and sent the confirming e-mail to my dear friend Potts. I must confess, I was feeling a wee bit proud of myself.  Beware pride...it will smack you in the face every, single time. Potts wrote back to me, thanking me and telling me about her plans on that day. On the very same day that I am donating blood in Erin's memory, her mom, my friend, Potts is doing a very extraordinary thing. Read about it here.

I want more than anything to be by her side, to hold her hand, and tell her how much I love her. But  that is not possible.

Then I remembered something very wonderful that our youngest daughter, Gretta did for me when I went into the hospital to have my knees replaced (both knees, one month apart) when I was 50 years old. Gretta hand stitched a wonky little creature (right, above) for me to hold onto, complete with a wee heart stitched onto one knee. I hung onto that goofy charm in the darkest parts of the night, lying awake in the hospital, feeling so, so vulnerable. And what a comfort it was, to have that bit of love in my hand.

Well, I figured, if I can't be with my friend Potts on the day that she becomes my personal hero, yet again,  I can send her a goofy charm (left, above), just like Gretta made for me. (Please notice the kidney bean, stitched onto the charm). I hope it will bring her some small comfort as she navigates her newest adventure.

Please, dear readers, hold my brave and grace-filled friend, Potts close to your heart on Tuesday. Thank you so, so much.