We're Fighters, We Are

Remember that time that I got called a hunchback with wonky eyes and high cholesterol? I do. Alas, 24 hours is not enough time to fully suppress the moment when a bubbly, 20 year-old chiropractic assistant assessed my body and pointed out all its less-than-human characteristics.

But I'm a fighter, I am, and so is my 5 year-old niece, Sariah.

While my self-esteem was being reduced, joint-by-joint, wonky eye-by-wonky eye, Sariah was simultaneously fighting her own little battle at Primary Children's Hospital. A 3-hour surgery saw half of her little kidney removed and an artery re-routed to the remaining half.

Her dad sent me this picture of her, still sleeping from the anestesia:

And here she is just waking up:

Such a cheerful little thing.

So the day Sariah lost half a kidney, I learned I am crooked everywhere, even my eyes. I also have high cholesterol and was told to lay off the red meat. Funny thing to say to a vegetarian.

So be grateful for your unclogged veins, your straight spines, and think of the children when you give thanks for your kidneys.

Treat them well.