THE STORY OF ONE FAMILY'S JOURNEY WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES AND CELIAC DISEASE.
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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

You Are.

She went and did it again.


You know...


Sprout.
Blossom.
Mature.
Heighten.


She grew.


I crept in for a post-correction finger poke the other night.  She stirred a little before opening one eye..."What am I, Mom?"


I looked at her meter, and then kissed her nose, half nuzzled under the blanket.  I stroked my fingers through her hair, and answered with "You're my amazing, beautiful, wonderful, incredible, one-of-a-kind angel ."


It didn't matter that her eyes were closed or that the room was dark.  I could feel the eyeroll.  "I know all THAT, Mom.  What.    is.    my.    blood.    sugar?"


I wanted to reply that she's a million marvelous things wrapped up into one very special package.  I wanted to tell her that every milestone I've witnessed has been fascinating to me.  I wanted to whisper in her ear how awestruck I am by her ability to face each new day with a smile.  And then I wanted to scoop her into my arms, and tell her that being her mother is, by far, one of the greatest blessings my life has ever seen.


"You're sugar is 85.  You still have a little IOB left from that correction a couple hours ago, so I'm going to get a juice and set a short temp basal decrease."


(Sidenote:  I think it's crazy that my little girl understands this language.  Diabetonese T1.)


From my phone, I posted our little exchange on Facebook (I mean, hello, isn't EVERYONE awake to update FB at 2 am?).  Then I programmed the alarm for another check a couple hours later, and headed back to bed. 


And that's where this story ends -- or maybe where it begins?  You see, that middle of the night FB post has ultimately become one of my "most liked" status updates ever.  


It dawned on me that there are people with diabetes (PWD) everywhere who are tossed between insurance companies and busy doctor's offices.  To medical supply companies and pharmaceutical companies and technology companies, they're just a number.  Their personal worth is often summed up by the black and white lab results on paper.  They wander from one day to the next, facing stereotypes and dodging stares when caring for themselves.


And so, to each of you -- young and old -- who poke your fingers, deal with insulin, and press onward in spite of all of it...I just wanted to tell you something:

Somewhere in your life, there is someone whose days are brighter because you're a part of them.


Somewhere someone's heart would be incomplete without you.


Somewhere someone understands what a balancing act this life is, and thinks you're a wonderful, incredible, one-of-a-kind angel -- regardless of what your A1c may be.


Somewhere you are someone's dream come true.


It could be a parent, a child, a friend, a sibling, or a spouse.  


It could be all of them.


In case you need a reminder, you should know...


YOU are strong.
YOU are distinct.
YOU are cherished.


YOU are so much more than the number on your meter.



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31 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful! I have had type one for over 30 years and often felt as though I was that "number". THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

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  2. These are just the words I needed to hear today! Your words, thoughts, actions and love for your Sugar are SIMPLY YOU and what a blessed YOU both are!

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  3. Wendy,
    This post is so great. I'm going to email it to my Diabetes Sisters- women who have had T1 for longer than me. I've had it 31 years, they have had it 49 and 43 respectively. When the A1C doesn't come back as "good" as you hoped, it does feel like a small failure. Your thoughts are something like this: "I could have done better worked harder, eaten more healthy.." etc. Thanks for reminding us that we are so much more than that number.

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  4. This is so beautiful...thank you!

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  5. I'll be honest, I'm not much of a crier. And I'm not much of a blog commenter as of late, but this one is worth commenting on AND crying about. So beautiful. Thank you.

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  6. How beautiful, thank you for posting!

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  7. i love, love, love, LOVE this! thank you, wendy.

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  8. Oh sure, go ahead and make me cry!! Remind me to give you a few extra hugs at FFL because of this post!!

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  9. What a perfect thing to read before I go check my DD. Beautiful!

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  10. Precious. Thank you so much, Wendy, for sharing.

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  11. I've heard the "you are more than the number on your meter" thing so many times. Finally, it's been put in context, and with the story and statements that you wrote which lead up to it, now I believe it. Thank you for writing this. Truly beautiful.

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  12. In some ways, I wish I'd had FB to do middle of the night postings when I got up w/my daughter every night for two years. Your words and insights are powerful and should encourage all PWD as well as those who love them. We are ALL more than numbers/facts/figures.

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  13. What an amazing post. Absolutely love this, the writing and the message. Thanks for writing it, Wendy. Love the image, too! :))

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  14. So SWEET! Thanks for making all those checks in the night less lonely...I'm not the only one! Writing a book for new parents dealing with this so they know they're not alone...it's almost done. Will be called, "The Superman Years". Thanks!
    Linda Buzogany

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  15. Beautifully said Wendy. As a father to one such Angel, I appreciate your words and your spirit. For the last 5 years I have been documenting one such person, my daughter Katia who was diagnosed just before her 16th birthday. So the film is coming out now, its called Sweet 16. I would love for you to see it, you can view the trailer at www.sweet16film.com please contact me from site if you feel so inclined. Dan Shannon

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  16. LOVE IT...and the pic in the meter Wendy...so true.

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  17. such an awesome pic, i love it! and right there with ya on the growing up before our eyes thing. It seems like every day that passes, Emma is becoming more independant with things. Scary and yet proud at the same time.

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  18. just sent this link to my daughter - I think she knows but just in case... and now I will wipe away my tears and get back to work..

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  19. Whew! Wonderful post. Made me cry! Love this! :)

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  20. I needed this today, thank you. I brought tears to my eyes.

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Life For A Child Button 2

While I'm happy to share our experiences with what works, and what doesn't work, for the management of Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease in our house, please do not mistake anything you read here for medical advice. Decisions regarding your/your child's health care should be made only with the assistance of your medical care team. Use any information from this blog at your own risk.