On Blood Donation

This week, I was on my way to the blood bank and talking to my brother. Suddenly, he asked, "You always sound so happy on your way to the blood bank. Why are you so passionate about blood donation?" 

After putting the phone down, i thought about it. Why does it always make me so happy? I think, the answer goes like this: 

Blood and organs are the two things that only a human can give to another human. Of these, blood can be given with no consequence to the donor. 

When blood is exchanged between two people, the only thing that matters is the blood group. No religion, caste, location, race, money comes between the donor and the receiver. Blood is the universal unifier. To see that red blood flow from you to the pouch is the surest way to feel one with all humanity. This - is what we all have in common - this magical fluid called blood. 

Every time you donate blood, one consequence is guaranteed - you save a life. Possibly, more than one. Always, every single time. The whole process takes just 20-40 minutes. But to that one person, that unit of blood matters so much. 

Donating blood is perhaps my way of saying Thank you to the universe. 

That's why I am so passionate about donating blood. That's why I am always so upbeat on the way to the blood bank. 

My first author chat

It was my first author chat in person, and I was *very* nervous. 

Will anyone turn up at all?

Will they stay? 

Will I have anything interesting to say? 

A few close friends came for moral support and God knows I needed every bit of it. 

The first two people walked in 5 minutes before the event was due to start. I walked over to say Hello. Met a bright young person in the process. 

We started the event. 

The questions came from the moderator, and then from the audience. 

Then, people started sharing their own experiences. 

People turned around to listen. 

Somewhere at the back, we ran out of chairs. The club staff very sweetly gave up their own. The room continued to fill. 

Some friends, whom I had not met in a long time, made the time to be present. They listened - first out of love, and then, as the conversation got richer and richer, with genuine interest. 

We expected the event to last 35-40 minutes. An hour later, we were still talking. 

For me, of course, it was an evening to remember and celebrate. But the crowning moment was a conversation with a friend later in the night. As I thanked him for coming, he said, "For one hour, no one looked at their phones. Everyone was talking and listening. Do you realise what you have achieved today?" 

Today's post is for the gratitude of last Friday.