Gratitude Friday

How Kind and Happy People Make A Day Easier

Who makes your day easier?

Created in Canva by Nancy Blackman

Help me to notice with the eyes of my heart and be grateful for the kindness that surrounds me already.

I have to visit the phlebotomist regularly because my doctor needs to check my T3/T4 levels and other stuff related to my adrenal glands. After being bedridden for six months of my life, I don’t mess around with my naturopath. She’s kind, considerate, brilliant, and extremely well-educated. She also has an amazing bedside manner. I’m grateful for her knowledge, expertise, and professionalism with a side of cheer that has helped me completely heal from one autoimmune disease.

I have written stories about my thyroid journey of over 30 years. I went from being diagnosed with hypothyroidism to being healed. But that doesn’t solve the adrenal gland issue.

So, when I head over to the blood draw place, I get to see Axel. Yes, that’s his name. He’s a tall, Latino guy, so you know I had to ask. “Tell me your parents didn’t name you after Axel Rose,” I said laughing.

He giggled and said, “no. That would be weird, right?”

“Not weird. It just doesn’t match you, though.”

Here’s the thing about Axel. I’m a hard draw. In layman’s terms that means, I have invisible veins (like a baby, one nurse said). They like to hover way below the surface and they’re small (like a baby). Can you see my eyes roll?

So, when I have to get blood drawn, I make sure to over hydrate before going in. Regardless, of my hydration level, Axel has a smile and a laugh on his face as he wraps that rubber thingy tight around my arm. He pulls out his butterfly, taps around, and says, “Ok, let’s try this. You might feel a poke.”

I do that whole scrunch-your-face-up-and-turn-away pose. And after five seconds when I don’t feel a thing, I do the slowly-turn-my-head-and-peek-to- see thing. The needle is in! I didn’t feel a thing!

On one such occasion, even Axel struggles. “How much water did you drink?” he asks.

“Not only did I drink water this morning, but I’ve been drinking a gallon of water every day for the last four days!”