. graduation – DiabetesDad

I sat back on my chair at the restaurant. It was a celebration. It was the graduation from high school for our youngest, Rob. A magical day and night.

Families wish for what I was in the middle of experienceing, it is surely my hope that their wish gets granted. As in the Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie, it almost gets by us sometimes with out us realizing.

As I leaned back in my chair I observed and enjoyed; our family.

My kids have always been there for each other. They support each other and they pretty much know everything about each other. Even while growing up, I remember them doing things like all sleeping in the same room waiting for Christmas morning and now as adults they call each other to just find out what’s going on.

As I watched our banter around the table (nothing is off-limits and it gets to be a good deal of fun) I was reminded that the best thing we have is each other. And they were all right in front of me; our three kids and our soon-to-be fourth child; when TJ marries Joelle in October. Family defined.

The support is based on many things; romances, problems, and yes even when it comes to diabetes (and having two kids with T1–that is A LOT of support) they know how to support each other. They each have a wonderful sense of humor, they give back to the community, and they excel in the work that they do. Perfect? No, but a perfect fit as a family, our family.

While we were in our seats at the graduation ceremony Kaitlyn text me that she wanted to get a better photo of Rob walking in and to hold her a seat…….”…..do you guys need a water?….” was how the text ended. Now that may seem like a little thing to most but it is those little things that let us know the big things will be taken care of.

We surely were all so proud watching our son and brother enjoy his festivities, his friends, and his accomplishments during his graduation. And I was given the fabulous opportunity to once again realize just how lucky I am.

It is indeed a Wonderful Life.

I am a diabetesdad.

Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’.

The pomp. The circumstances. Graduation time.

I find it so exciting to see all over the DOC (Diabetes Online Community) pictures of all of our kids graduating. Promise of a future. Proud parents. And all with good reason.

I remember, like it was yesterday, when a medical professional placed their arm around my shoulders and said, “….diabetes is a very serious disease. Take one day at a time. Plan for today. College? Marriage? Don’t plan on it, take it one day at a time.”

“What does that mean?”

“I am not saying she won’t, Just don’t plan on it. Diabetes is devastating.”

Cleary that person was not in our lives for much longer. She did make it, and this year Rob graduates high school. That medical professional’s statement is still in my mental book as one of the dumbest lines ever said to me since we started on this journey and anger fills me every time I remember it.

But something needs to be made very clear. Graduating school is a huge accomplishment. When you think of all those who will graduate college and high school always remember that if your child with diabetes has graduated, they did so while managing diabetes; and THAT is huge.

We take it as our ‘new normal’. No big deal. But if you lay down on paper all that you and your family went through, it is staggering to think about.

All of the trips to school, the managing, THE managing, THE MANAGING; the lunches made, the class trips, the sports, THE DREADED GYM CLASS DAYS, the tests, the STATE tests, and so much more; well your day has arrived.

So as your child walks to accept their diploma, smile to yourself and be a little extra prouder than most because your child reached this milestone and they did so with diabetes.

When you think about it, a lot of sweat and blood went into that diploma; and that blood was usually as a finger prick to test blood sugar.

Congratulations.

I am a diabetes dad.

Please visit my Diabetes Dad FB Page and hit ‘like’

Tag: . graduation

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Graduation……Diabetes? Be a Little Prouder than Others.