Healing.

A lot has been going on – A LOT, people. Here’s a recap of ONE of the last few weeks, bulleted for efficiency and ease of read.

• Rock Against Rape: This event was truly transformational. Easily my favorite part of the night was seeing Steve Connell perform, hearing his honest and strong words bursting with rhythm and filled with soul. And this soul was ever present when myself and every member of Eyes Wide Open had the chance to meet him, hug him, share a few words with him, and have our RAR t-shirts signed by him. I found it so backwards when he told us all that this event was really touching for him, but I suppose that’s how inspiration works.
• I would like to think his words could change the world. I would like to hope I can have the impact he has some day. (Hopefully I can post a video of his performance later!)
• SIDE NOTE: I was chosen as the graphic design chair for RAR next year! Woohoo!

• Post-surgery: As if work and RAR weren’t enough to handle in a single Saturday, Megan moved. So, the following days were like recovering from an appendectomy – I was moving slowly, feeling lazy, and had an empty pain in my gut. I wanted nothing more than to remain in my jammies, snuggle up in bed and cry to some depressing music and soak in the sadness and gravity of the situation. But alas, I had to work.

• Pre-surgery: What’s more, my family was all downstate for a really big, important reason: my mom was donating her kidney to my Uncle Dan. So the day before the surgery (immediately following work) I went to visit my Uncle Dan and mom at the hospital, both of which were in pre-surgery states. Both seemed apprehensive yet brave, nervous yet strong. I can’t find a better representation of family and love than my mom donating her healthy kidney to her brother.

• Post-surgery, again: The surgery went swimmingly the next morning, and both patients were groggy and grumpy afterwards. I mean, who wouldn’t be? Sometimes I wonder why showing love can be so painful? I like to imagine a world where actions of affection like donating a kidney are rewarded with candy and rainbows and instead of pain one feels warmth and good-feeling over the incision site. I guess that’s what the gift shop is for, eh?

• Recovery: Day two of recovery was important for a few reasons: 1. My mom got to eat solid food again! 2. The donated kidney seemed to be working well, and 3. It was my 21^st birthday! I had a perfect dinner at San Chez among family (minus my mom), Elliot, and Brittany and was served the most delicious food and my first mojito! Really, I had never had a mojito before! They are wonderful!

• More recovering: The rest of the week was devoted to being at the hospital, visiting with family, going to class, and waiting for friends to come celebrate my birthday with me on Friday (hey, Tuesday is an awkward day to have a 21^st birthday!). Friday night we spent some time downtown, and had some good drinks and some fantastic conversation. The night wasn’t perfect, but it was excellent despite imperfection… I felt really special to have my friend Mark visiting from the D, too. (SEE: The D)
• SIDE NOTE: everyone (who can legally do so – gotta keep this blog rated PG in case my parents are reading) should try an oatmeal cookie shot. They are effing delicious!

• The remainder: So, all of the above happened in less than a week. And so much has happened since then! I really need to update more regularly! I promise I will once I have a break from school! (Sorry for the lack of creativity and multi-media-ness. I will try harder next time to be more eloquent and coherent!)
  
  
  SSB