The essential substance of life

One of my big passions is giving blood through the Red Cross. (I think this is because there are so few things I can do now to make a positive contribution to society, that this is one clear way. It's easy for me to do, and I've established a track record.) They allow you to donate every 56 days, and I try to keep to that schedule like clockwork. I missed quite a few times in the wake of my accident (unsurprisingly), but I first gave at the age of 18, and my donation today will be the 88th time (11 gallons worth). I was happy to receive my 10-gallon pin in January 2006, and I have set for myself a lifetime goal of 30 gallons and was encouraged last year one time when I asked at the Red Cross and was told they have no age limit. My daughter Christy finds it all "gross," and likes to speak of my being "poked and drained." A few years ago in email, she called it the "essential substance of life," so I've now adopted that phrase. (I think she credits me with it now and forgets that it originated with her.)