Every two years, our hearts are captured by the spectacle of Olympic sport. The thrill of victory. The agony of defeat. We watch images of struggle, sacrifice, and pain; all for the chance to stand on a medal podium. It captures the heart.
Often, the camera pans to the parents in the stands. The ones who woke before dawn to drive their budding star to practice. To rehearsals. To competitions near and far. They traveled the long road to that podium, too. And when the medal is placed around their child’s neck, many are in tears, celebrating the achievement of being the best at something.
Being recognized as the best is a wonderful feeling. Being the best in the world, as in the Olympics, is tremendous. A lifetime of boxes checked. A dream fulfilled.
But what if the dream is just as lofty; and yet far different?
What if the goal isn’t a podium…
…but survival?
No applause.
No elimination rounds.
No second-place finishes.
Only life — or losing.
Nothing in between.
I have seen the tears of Olympic parents. I have seen their pride. And I am one of those faces, and my friend, so are you. But our expressions change for entirely different reasons. We are parents in the extreme challenges of life.
Do you think my good friend Jeff, who cries every time he sees a photo of his daughter giving her first insulin shot at camp, feels any less pride? Or Moira, bursting at the seams over her daughter’s accomplishments? Or Keith, beaming as he shares his son’s gymnastics victories at a local competition? Or my wife and I sharing in an everyday achievement of our kids which is not so every day marking their achievement in life?
Is our pride any less than that of a parent watching a gold medal placed around their child’s neck?
Undoubtedly, it is not.
Jeff, Moira, Keith and we, have incredible, talented children. The only difference is that their greatness unfolds while living with diabetes — not while stepping onto a podium.
Not “just” diabetes.
Diabetes.
The one-small-mistake.
Constant-due-diligence.
Unyielding-dedication.
Life-is-at-stake diabetes.
That one.
Those who live with it need no explanation. Those who don’t never will understand. If you do not live this life, you cannot know.
You know.
The middle-of-the-night checks.
The sleepless nights.
The tears.
The isolation.
And the immeasurable joy of watching our kids truly live, while managing this relentless disease.
So while one camera captures a gold-medal performance on the world stage, another should zoom in on you. Because THAT look on your face, the pride, the relief, the fierce love; is no less worthy than any Olympic moment.
Wipe your tears.
Take a bow.
They can…
because you do…
every second of every day.
I’m a Diabetes Dad.Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like.’ Tagged diabetes, diabetes dad, diabetes inspiration