I have never been one to force emotion…..if it is how I feel at a particular moment, it becomes whatever it becomes. We all live in the ups and downs with emotion starting the day we heard the words, “your child has, what is commonly called, type one diabetes.”
Finger pricks, injections, 3 am blood checks, and the feeling that you are utterly alone is enough emotion for a life time. So many, and I MEAN MANY, of my friends co-warriors in this fight had bets when, during my daughter’s wedding day, I would completely lose it. Seeing her for the first time, walking her down the aisle, and surely by the ‘daddy-daughter’ dance you were going to have to scrape me off the floor…..right?
Not exactly.
You see I actually cannot remember the last time that I had the feeling I had like I did the day Kaitlyn became Mrs. Andre Burnett. To be THAT happy was the most wondrous feeling I have had in a long, long time. Not one tear, anywhere, just joy. The entire planning of the wedding was a delight and the actual day itself was heaven on earth.
There are many aspects to the planning of a wedding. Much different for a daughter than a son. Engagement parties, showers, parties, wedding-rehearsal dinner and then the big day. There was just so much love. Not only within our families but from our extended friends and family we have met while on this incredible journey, so many were extending good wishes and great love…..we thank all of you and felt it from all of you.
SO if you have a child with diabetes, I want to share that one of the most joyous days of my life occurred after diagnosis. In the spirit of present day; Olympic Mega-star, Multi-Medal Winning Swimmer, Gary Hall shares freely that he won more awards after diagnosis than before. I know that feeling now more than ever.
The take-away is that even after diagnosis, the best days in you life may very well be ahead of you. Hold onto that thought—-you will need it. And sometimes those incredible smiles…….are worth their weight in gold.
I am a diabetes dad.
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