Thank you Donna

I've been thinking  lot about my cousin Donna.  Do you know that she saved my life?

I had just got out of the hospital and I had a dream.  My deceased grandfather, David, had come to me in a dream and told me to call Donna.  You have to know that I was very ill, and a long way from being back to a good place.  It was just me and my son, Dylan.  He was in the 6th grade.  He was afraid cause the both of us knew things had changed.  I wasn't working and unemployment wasn't going to keep us afloat.  I now had issues with my vision and the appointment with the specialist was a month away.

I called Donna and we must have talked for hours.  I told her everything.  You have to know something about her.  She sometimes has the attention span of a butterfly.  Except when her heart is involved.  Once she is connected to something with her heart, get out of her way.  She said Dylan and I should come and visit.  I told her I wasn't up to it at all.  She looked into how to get me from the little town in northern California to her home in Woodland Hills.  No easy task.  Bus would take over 12 hours, same with a train.

Oh did I mention we were in the middle of the worst heat wave in a long time?  Record heat of over 115 degrees all across the state.  Donna packed up her mini van.  Nicole and Joshua went with her and they drove to me and got us.

I was so very afraid of my life just then.  Donna was full of good cheer.  No, she glowed with determination that I was going to get better.  She also wanted to get to know Dylan so that he would understand that he did have family.  We drove down to Los Angeles and told stories the entire way.  Donna knew how important music was so she told me that I was in charge of playing music for the ride.

During our visit, Donna took Dylan under her wing.  She was nursing Joshua and was still unstoppable with her energy.  She took us for a drive to Zuma Beach.  I will never forget coming out of the canyon and driving up the coast when suddenly I felt plugged in.  Like a huge jolt of energy entered my body.  I told her and she just smiled.  She helped me go to the water's edge.  She knew this was part of the healing process too.

When our beautiful visit was done, she took me home.  I had that eye specialist appointment to go to.

There was a message from the friend who was supposed to give me a ride.  Yeah, I had no car.  She said that "I am sorry I won't be able to take you.  I am sure you can find another way there".  I was devastated.  Donna said don't worry I will take you.  She did.  The doctor visit was a joke.  They said I couldn't be seen because of my insurance.

Donna took me home and said she couldn't just leave me there like this.  She called her husband and asked if we could come live with them.  He said yes and she told me.  I was astounded.  Who does that?  They had a suite over their converted garage.  Move to Los Angeles?  Me?

After much talking we decided this was best.  My other cousin's ex-husband and his gf came and loaded us up and drove us to Donna's.

I have to tell you that I owe my life to Donna.  She gave me everything I needed but most of all she gave me love and acceptance.  She took us on and took us in.

I eventually got better.  Not 100 percent but enough.

I wake up everyday and thank G-d for my family.  All of them had a hand in my recovery.

I may not love Los Angeles but I sure do love Donna.