kids doing dumb things, sad stuff

this is not your normal humachine programming, but a recent post by nostrich about his exceptional caring of heather brought up a whole slew of memories. i wanted to share one of them, and it’s something that i will never forget.

in july of 2002, my dad was in the ICU desperately in need of a liver transplant. he was only fifty years old. in the same room was a young kid who took way too many of some pill, did immediate damage to his liver, and also needed a liver transplant.

i remember my mom looking at me and saying, “this kid did something really dumb and because of his age, he’ll get a liver transplant before dad does.” shortly after, my dad got too sick before they were able to find him a donor.

i had (more than) a few dumb moments myself in the years right before this, so i don’t know. i have and will never forget that moment. it was an extremely clear image of the effect one person’s actions can have on so many people. some of which they may not, or will never, know.