What’s Your Magic Mojo?
Drive-by shootings. Playground skirmishes between politicians. The Dow up. The Dow down.
We humans have a limited capacity for negative news. That’s why I’ve launched Magic Mojo – a forum for sharing good news…stories about people stepping forward to help others or just doing something that brings a smile to others’ faces.
It seemed fitting that I begin by returning to the source of the blog’s name – my son Jack. Jack is one of the most important teachers I’ve ever had. He has taught me many things in the past 24 years – how to be more compassionate and patient, less judgmental and snarky.
He’s done something even more significant, though. Eleven years ago he saved his younger sister’s life.
Flash back to 2005. What notable events occurred that year? Condoleezza Rice became the first African American woman to serve as secretary of state. YouTube launched! NHL Hockey was cancelled due to a labor dispute. And Prince Charles popped the question to Camilla Parker Bowles.
All of that is a blur to me. For in January 2005 my daughter, on the eve of her 11th birthday, was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called PNH.
PNH. Those three letters prompted both nightmares and insomnia.I knew even less about PNH than I’d known about autism when Jack was diagnosed in 1993. But in both instances I spotted life-changing news when I heard it.
In short order we learned Julia’s options were terrifying. She could take medication, stop playing hockey, and live in fear of a deadly blood clot. Her life expectancy – well I can’t even go there.
The second choice was to have a bone marrow transplant, a treatment only a sobering percentage of patients survived, many with significant side effects.
I got the tutorial on BMTs, learning that a sibling is the best candidate to be a bone marrow donor. I took both kids to the hospital to see if Jack was a match for Julia. Afterwards, Jack looked at Julia and asked, “So Julia…did they give you my Mojo yet?”
Julia replied as any annoyed younger sister would, explaining they’d only drawn his blood. And besides, that’s not what mojo means.
Four months later, Jack did give Julia his Mojo. Capital M Mojo.
Because his Mojo saved Julia’s life.
As their Aunt Linda said, “Many people search their whole lives for their purpose. How great for Jack that he found his at such a young age.” Purpose. Mojo. Same message, right?
By now I hope you’ve paused to reflect on the question I posed in the title – what’s your Magic Mojo? Do you know? If you do, are you willing to share?
If you are humble or just unsure, perhaps you’d rather answer a different question. Who has a great story to share on the Magic Mojo blog? Who has a story that will bring a smile to others’ faces?
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