And then my eyeballs popped out of my skull

Okay, not literally. But damn near. I had the most shocking wakeup today. I had a donation notification for the first time in months. But this wasn’t just any donation. This donation… I’m not even sure if it’s appropriate to state the amount I was given.

You know that thing where you read something, but you can’t believe you actually read it, so you reread it like 20 more times? Yeah, that. It’s the largest donation I’d received to date: $500.

And then… I saw the person who donated it.

Don.

Don, I have been awake for about an hour now, and I am yet to find the appropriate words to convey my appreciation for your extraordinary generosity. Me, who doesn’t shut up, struggling with words. I didn’t realize you were still reading my blog or keeping up with my story in any fashion, and I wish I was still in California so I could give you a tremendous hug. I am sorry that things did not work out between us. You are an incredibly smart and sweet person, and I could’ve told you that without any sort of donation. I just wasn’t ready to get back into a relationship at the time in my life when we met, and I wish I had the social skills to communicate that and to still remain friends immediately following that period. Did I mention I’m a great big ball of awkward? Cuz I am.

Like all three of those guys at the same time barely conveys my awkwardness. Anyway, I hope you can forgive me for not keeping in touch, and if so, totally send me a friend request on Facebook so we can keep in contact.

I know none of this is an adequate demonstration of gratitude for your donation, but I’m still in shock over here. Pardon me while I scrape my jaw off the floor.

Thank you so much. From the bottom of my heart. This makes such a dent in my surgery fund, and I can never sufficiently express my appreciation. Merci beaucoup.