Having blood drawn is no fun. Period. Especially not when you’re someone like me, who faints easily. (What’s “easily,” you ask? 1) When I got my ears pierced at age thirteen; 2) During the movie “Of Mice and Men,” when the guy breaks the other guy’s hand; 3) During the movie “The Piano,” when the woman has her finger cut off; etc. Oh, there are so many stories ….)
So I always ask to lie down when I have blood drawn. Why risk it, right? But even being horizontal on a nice cot doesn’t remove the dread that I feel.
But the other day, as I was lying there looking deliberately at the wall instead of at the vials that were filling up with my blood, I got the idea to pray the “Hail Mary.” And it was so soothing. I got into the rhythm of the prayer and it made me relax, just a little.  It made me think of something — and someone — warm, and positive, and bigger than my fear.
I’m going to remember that for next time.
3 responses to “Our Lady of the Laboratory”