On What Do You Lean? Please Share.

help is on the wayWell if anyone can handle this, you guys can.  Really?  I have always wanted to punch in the nose whoever said those words to me; and every time I heard them.  I do believe I would be left with many less friends though, so I refrain.  We heard the words a lot over the years but more than I could handle after Rob was diagnosed.

I have never for one second believed that statement as I believe the roadway on the new normal is much to do with a ‘learn-as-you-go’ journey.

What I do believe, however, is there is something in us that we have that helps us greatly on this journey and that is what I want to address today.  Something we always had, that when needed, it was already there ready for use.  In our house it was a few things and I can pinpoint them immediately.

We have always lived with the notion that music and laughter must be in our house.  Almost every morning, the first thing we do is turn on the radio so music plays all day long.  My dad used to do that every day; I grew up with the sounds of Glen Miller and all of the great golden era music; and Jill’s house also did the same.  During the holidays each of us has our own favorite song; and we each know them. 

We also love to laugh.  Not at someone’s expense as much as we all just look at things in a manner that is a little weird that makes us laugh.  Someone will say, or do, something that we all find so funny; we do enjoy each other and when all of us are together, one thing is a sure bet; we will laugh.  We all have a unique way of looking at things, and sometimes pretty twisted as well.

Whether it is a play on words, or buying someone 48 boxes of pop tarts because you bought them a toaster, ‘and well they need something to put in the toaster’, or a funny thing shared from the internet–we just love to laugh in our house; and we do.

We have tried to make sure both music and laughter stayed even with everything life has thrown at us.  I have often said that laughter is the ballet of life.  Master it and you can get through anything.  Music is the baseline for which we walk, walk with a little beat in your steps and the traveling load will be that much lighter.

What do you use in your ‘new normal’ that you are so grateful was part of your life before that you lean on often.  Life is an amazing journey; sometimes there is MUCH thrown at us.  During those times, what do you rely on to help?   Please let us know as you might be helping someone else.

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Sunday dHero…..Getting between Bullies and Someone in Need! Please Let this Young Lady Know How Special She is.

Her name is Amber, she lives in California, she is 13, new in her school just moving there from Texas, and was diagnosed with diabetes at age 9.  She loves music and she is Diabetesdad’s Sunday dHero…….you may find her to be a hero also.

Her mom states how Amber excels in so many different areas, loves music, and even won competitions dealing with music that she wrote and sang.  But it is the music she followed from her heart that makes her a hero…….BIG  TIME.

Last month a young man was trying to retrieve his instrument from the music room.  This young man has a bit of cognitive issues.  As he went back to the classroom the door was held shut by two young boys on the other side.  On top of that, the taunting started, so did the jokes, and you can imagine how this was playing out.

Now remember that Amber is new to the school and at age 13 the most important thing in a young teenagers life is probably the need to fit in.  Not so with this dHero.  She follows a different melody in her heart…..she listens to the tune of fairness. 

While the bullying was going on, Amber walked right up to the closed-door and the two boys released it allowing her entrance.  Once inside she not only held the door for the young man being bullied she had something to say.
“Y’all need to let him get his cello. He is trying to learn and get a good grade like most of us – unlike you two. Y’all also need to stop being so mean to others.”

Isn’t it hard enough to be a teen-ager and to deal with diabetes?  Isn’t well enough just getting by for Amber’s life?  Isn’t it ‘just enough’ to have her get through every day being different and feeling different?   She is not different at all by diabetes (nor should she be); she is different from many by her beautiful heart.  The lesson is a clear one and taught best by Amber herself. “The only thing I hate more than diabetes is bullying. I can live with diabetes, I can’t live with people who bully. Plus one day there will be a cure for diabetes but not for ‘stupid’ “

“……but not for stupid.”   I just love that!

Unknown to Amber, a teacher saw the entire incident unfold and she was awarded “Student of the Month.”  Not bad for being in a new school….is it? Her mom tells me that  “Amber is not shy when it comes to standing up for the right of everyone to be treated with respect.”

The world needs more people like Amber.  Amber you take one huge bow.  We are proud of you and you are surely Diabetesdad’s Sunday dHero.

I hope the whole world leaves a comment for you to read on this blog–because you deserve it.  We are all so proud of you and today; you have become the teacher and the rest of us, the students.  Thank you.

I am a Diabetesdad