Dear Mrs. Josephine Wright (my PALS friend),

This week I have been weighing the pros and cons of having a blood transfusion. Understanding that the procedure may help me feel better and give me more strength, most of my thoughts about the procedure have been negative.

Yesterday, I concluded that I should not have the tranfusion because I would not know whose blood I would be receiving. I am, quite frankly, not pleased with the prospect of mixing my blood with the blood of others.

While contemplating how I would tell you of my decision, it occurred to me that there was one aspect of the procedure that was very appealing, despite the remote complications associated with the procedure; how interesting it would be to have the ability to determine whose blood would be mixed with mine and how such a mixture might affect me.

I found myself day dreaming about some of the persons whose blood I would like to have flow through my body, so that I could share in their passion and strength. I have therefore set out below a list of the blood that I would like for you to provide for my transfusion. I know this might be a tall order, so do your best.

First and foremost, Mrs. Wright, I would like just a little of your blood. Not too much, I don't want to be too good lest my family will not recognise me.

Next, I would like for you to get some blood from each of the following men of 'colour' because as you know they are peacemakers: Jesus Christ, Ralph Bunche, Martin Luther King Jr, Mohatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and John F. Kennedy.

We need more guys like them and I volunteer to carry a part of them with me at all times.

A very little from Ariel Sharon and Yasser Arafat so that if and when either of them would need me to donate blood, the blood from the peacemakers listed above would possibly help change their respective personalities just enough so that they will want peace.

As much of Tiger Woods' blood that you can obtain because I truly believe that he can and will do for world peace what he is doing and has already done for golf.

Tiger's blood would be good.

I would also require a little blood from Nina Simone so that I could be more like her and sing "Mississippi Goddam". Also, with some of her blood, I would perform my own version of "Bermuda Goddam".

A little from Mom's Mabley would also be good. I always liked hearing her do her thing.

There is no way that I would agree to a transfusion that didn't include blood from Pail Robeson.

With some blood from him I could sing to the whole world "Old Man River", "Shenandoah" and "There's a Man Going Roun' Takin' Names".

To give me a more balanced bit of culture, a little from Jos? Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti would be in order. Enrico Caruso as well.

A little from Mahalia Jackson would give me strength of character and passion that would do this body of mine good. I'll take just a smidgen from Ray Charles, but enough so that I am able to sing "America" like he does.

A little from Frank Sanatra so that I can sing "I Did it My Way" because God knows they wouldn't let me do it any other way.

Finally, a little blood from Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong so that I can say to myself 'what a wonderful day it will be'.

These musings have convinced me that having a transfusion might not be a bad thing, so that if you have a problem applying the blood of the above parties, you and your friends will honour me by supplying the best transfusion that Bermuda has to offer. I will be forever grateful.

Most Sincerely,

Lloyd W. Telford Sr.