Real World Wednesday

Women's History Month

Last year, bloggers all across the land wrote about the women who have inspired them.

My list included
1) Mary (i.e., the Mother of God...yeah, hard veil to wear, right?)
2)Several of my best friends
3)Librarians whose paths I wouldn't mind following
4)My great-grandmother
5)Mama

This year, in the spirit of Real World Wednesday, I'll use each Wednesday in March to talk about women in the news who have done inspirational things.

Let's start with the Starbucks Barista who's giving away her kidney.

Sandie Andersen, who works at Starbucks simply for the benefits, and, clearly, the relationships she's built with customers over the past four years, went for a match test when she found out that one of her favorite regular customers, Annamarie Ausnes, had polycystic kidney disease and would need a transplant.

Sandie and Annamarie match.

So, Sandie is giving Annamarie her left kidney on March 11.

Perhaps we would all consider making a huge sacrifice for a best friend or a sibling or parent, but would we have major surgery to save the life of a customer? Sandie and Annamarie talk each day, but they don't see each other outside of work (well, after March 11, I'm sure that will change).

I'm not rushing out to give away a kidney to a customer, but this does make me think about the attitude I might have when I'm on my sixth hour of dealing with the public.

I may not give away a part of my body, but I can certainly smile, right?

This week, think about Sandie. Think about the sacrifice she's willing to make just to help out a fellow human being...one, single, human being.

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

Emily Dickinson