April 19 is always regarded as a terrible anniversary, and indeed it is, but for me it has always had a different reason to be remembered and that is one that goes back much farther than to the bombing of the Murrah building.
For me, April 19 is an important anniversary and a day for celebration; the reason dates back to April 19, 1965, the birthdate of someone very important to me, my sister Sandy, the woman who would have given me a kidney if she were permitted to do so, and who tried.
To Sandy, it was only natural that she would immediately volunteer her own kidney as a donor organ when she learned I had kidney disease, months before I started dialysis. This meant, and means, more to me than I could readily put into words; "thank you" seems so inadequate to the task. I had talked with a friend of mine in Native American Netroots about commissioning a special piece by her husband, who is a noted Native American silver artisan, and we'd agreed on what it would be already; I may yet do it for Christmas, just because it meant that much to me that she would offer.
And she was not only willing to donate, but hoping that she would be my donor. Her final tests were earlier this month, and she was hoping surgery would be scheduled, but instead, she was disqualified; her kidney function is normal, but on the low side of normal, and one of hers would not work well for me.
Sandy does not read Daily Kos and I don't think anyone else from my family, other than my partner (a longtime Kossack) does, either. This is a tribute she will never see. That's OK. You did, and so you'll know that to one Kossack, at least, April 19 means something wonderful, not something terrible and tragic, and that to me, it's a day for remembrance of my sister through the now 45 years that we've been in family with each other, for celebration, not sadness or fear. It's a day to celebrate someone who loved someone else enough to offer a piece of her own body to give her sister her life back, and who was literally hoping to be able to do that. I remember the Murrah building bombing, that horrible, awful day and the aftermath. But that will never be the thing that most makes April 19 a day to be marked for me. My sister's birth came long before, and will be important to me all my life.
So to Sandy, a glass raised today in your honor and a wish for long life, happiness, joy in your family and church, and dreams come true. A wish that you may be able to get that teaching certificate that you are working and studying for and join teacherken in the ranks of remarkable teachers who make a difference in so many students' lives. And a hope that in future years, some of your students, now grown, will come to you and let you know that you made a major difference to them, changed their lives for the better, helped them set themselves on the lifepaths they pursue as adults. Happy birthday to my sister, one of the most generous of spirit people I know.