Relativity
Out of winter’s cold and into the hospital, how could there be anything but warmth? Still, a greater chill comes over me, and my breath is sucked out of me as I pause at the door to the corridor. Only nine, maybe ten, this girl before me, tucked into a wheelchair with a blanket, her head wrapped so that no hair is visible. Is there any?
My warning to brace for the cold as I hold the door open is met with her mother’s wan smile, but the child’s laughter is a reminder that hardship, sorrow, and joy are relative to each of us. Perspective takes a bow when least expected, but when needed most, and I’m flooded with warmth.
This is my response to Day 1 at napowrimo.net, where Maureen asks us to write a prose poem that is about the body and contains “an encounter between two people, some spoken language, and at least one crisp visual image.”
This encounter as I was walking into Roswell Park Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY, was a reminder of why I donated platelets, sometimes up to twenty-four times a year.
rivrvlogr 
Beautiful, inspiring post.
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🙂 Thank you.
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You’re welcome
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That is a very perceptive observation. A warning to those who like to sort everyone into categories.
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Thank you, Jane. There are times when we judge without knowing, and there are times when our eyes are opened for us.
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It’s a difficult balance to keep, between having an open mind and an empty mind.
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This is a reflective piece and an eye-opener, thank you. I went straight to google about platelet and its donation.
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It’s a worthy endeavor.
Thank you, Gloria.
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Very perceptive, and you gave us all something to think about, Ken. My husband is a regular blood donor.
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Thank you, Merril. A change in my health (primarily medication) shortly after I retired ended donations for me. Prior to donating platelets, I had reached 20 gallons in blood donations to the Red Cross in my late forties.
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Good for you, Ken! I’m one of those people who often gets poked a million times before they can find a good vein, so . . . 😏
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A very moving encounter.
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Thank you.
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You are welcome.
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All those little things we can give the world. I will be thinking of this for awhile. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe.
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Touching response to the prompt.
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Thank you.
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So moving, i felt this Ken.
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Thank you, Paul.
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