A little girl was ill in hospital with a rare blood disorder and was badly in need of a blood donor but a match could not be found. As a last resort, her six year old brother was checked as a match and much to everyone's relief, he was.
Both his parents and doctor sat the little boy down and explained how they would like his blood to help his sister so she would not die. The little boy waited a few moments then asked if he could think about it. It wasn't the reaction the parents or doctor expected but they agreed.
The following day the little boy sat in front of the doctor with his father and mother and said he agreed to give his sister what she needed.
The hospital staff moved quickly for his sister was fading quite fast. So the little boy could understand what was happening, he was placed in a bed next to his sister and so the transfusion began. Quickly, the colour and life began flooding back into the little girl and every one was overjoyed.
The little boy turned to the doctor and quietly asked, "How long will it be before I die?"
Now we know why he took a little time to think about it.
***
I offer my apologies to those who think this one was a bit too sweet but it was a story that touched my heart.
Sometimes that's enough.
❤️
In the medical field, stories like this are often apocryphal, but I think still they are useful. It helps us see the world of helping, be it medical organ donation, or pay it forward financial help, works to bring the world forward.
ReplyDeletecheers,
Mike
I know what you mean, Mike, but I'm sure we'd agree that not everything needs to be real to be true.
DeleteAll the very best
Very touching, though a bit shocking that the little brother thought he would be giving up his life.
ReplyDelete! Love the waterrcolour too, Susan.
That was a very good kicker, wasn't it?
DeleteI'm glad you like the picture, Marja-Leena. The summer has found me next to empty when it comes to inspiration. Hopefully this is a sign of the inkling of a return. :)
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI love your picture which draws you in and goes well with the story. However from my experience 6 year olds can and do take in quite a lot more than we generally think.
Best wishes
Hi Lindsay,
DeleteIt's good to know you like the picture, even as simple as it is. Of course you're right that 6 year olds can be quite adept at abstract thought, but the story's focus on innocence made the child's act so much more endearing, don't you think?
All the best
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteSome confusion exists in my mind between this possibly beguiling stories of innocence and the wisdom (or lack thereof) as I don’t think any 6 years ever think like that anymore than adults do or would leave a child in such doubt. But that’s just my take on it and others may feel it is a simply a charming story of innocence.
Best wishes.
Hi again, Lindsay
DeletePerhaps I ought to have changed the little boy's age to 3 or 4. As it was I didn't consider the likely real world relative maturity of the child described in the story, nor did I ponder the lack of consideration on the part of the adults who didn't explain the situaton better. I just thought it was a pleasant story about misunderstanding.
All the best
oh dear susan, no need to apologize as i sit here bawling. what a lovely story. i can imagine my grandson being willing to do what that little guy thought he was doing, tho he would have thought about it a little while too. it was quite a surprise but also perfect to the thinking of every child i've known. often we think, as adults, we get what a child's mind will do with something factual, logical, etc., and in reality often they will go off into the hinterlands, way beyond what we lowly adult humans are capable of dreaming up. my 2 cents if you know what i mean!!
ReplyDeleteyour little painting is the perfect accompaniment to the story. you are a brilliant story teller, did you know that? and your work is always perfection with them. it's nice to see a painting of yours again. i've been more offline than on, i'm afraid. but i have been painting more, just haven't gotten around to the camera bit. trying to paint smaller... well, a bit smaller and gone back to watercolor and/or gouache, always my first loves. wc is my first first tho :)
sometimes it's nice to share something other than the usual stuff. who cares since it's our blog after all. i'm happy to see you here again. i've been off and online but don't think i've seen too many posts from you. hoping all is well in your world, dear heart. hoping for a fall here someday. been in the 100's but we will get the last of the grapes off finally. it was a cool summer then bang... typical calif. weather. :)
xoxoxo
Hello, dearest Linda,
DeleteReading your comment about that most recent post, the one done a few weeks ago now, made me feel good. I thought it was a sweet story too and that the little boy's logic was quite reasonable under the circumstances.
I haven't been online much either, other than reading which I've done far too much of these past months. I find any number of stories and subjects worthy of a post but before I get around to them something else has drawn my attention away. Maybe one of these days I'll slow down enough to return to regular blogging. The other problem there, as I'm sure you've noticed too, is that there are fewer bloggers every week.. and the ones who do so aren't often very amusing.
Boy, temperatures that high must be very uncomfortable for you. We had a really lovely summer here but now things are cooling off very fast and the long dark is approaching apace. Much as I'm fond of this place and our wonderful park walks I don't think I will ever get used to the fierce winter cold with all its snow and ice.
I'm glad you managed to collect all the grapes this year and I do hope it will have been a profitable crop.
Love always,
Susan
yupperz. got me.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.usatoday.com/story/news/humankind/2016/05/31/kidney-twins-teacher-donates-kidney-student/85161746/
That was wonderful, Jimm. Hope all is well with you.
Delete