I was inspired..........

Up bright and early yesterday on a sunny Saturday morning to go and walk in the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) annual fundraiser at Murray Park/Big Dam Bridge. I was tired and in a bit of a funk myself, but determined to go and walk in support of Willie - 12 year old son of my co-worker William Pape'.

When I arrived at Murray Park I was shocked at the number of people there -- and as far as I could see I saw clusters of brightly colored t-shirts worn by lots of children and kids -- some as young as 2 or 3 years old. These were all of the "teams" congregating before the walk started in support of their friends and family members who have diabetes.

At one point I was greeted by two of Samantha's friends, Madison Ford and Ashley Jolly who asked where Sam was -- (she was at a volleyball tournament in Conway) - they all have a friend in school, Courtney Ellis, who was diagnosed last year with Juvenile Diabetes -- and their bright t-shirts said "Courtney's Challenge". I visited with Courtney's mom for a little bit - she said it has been a challenge to try and learn the fine points of dealing, day to day, with diabetes. At that point my own "blue mood" flew away, and I was humbled with a sense of thankfulness.

I am thankful for my friends and family members who support me in my own challenge with diabetes and have tried to take the time to learn about the disease for my benefit - but I am most thankful for the health of my own daughter. It seems she takes more after her dad's side of the family -- where there is no diabetes, and for that I am extremely thankful.

Imagine how the parents of children with diabetes (especially the younger ones) feel every night before putting those kids to bed -- worried about middle of the night lows and highs - probably not being able to really rest or sleep knowing the alarm will go off at 3am so they can wake a sleeping child and prick that sweet little finger so one drop of blood can tell them if they will sleep the rest of the night, or if they have to get up, take a dose of insulin or eat a snack.

We all know kids are resilient, but as a I have said here before - diabetes is never ending, never takes a vacation, never goes away. If you choose not to deal with it, it will deal with you in alot of unpleasant ways.

I was inspired on Saturday - by the kids themselves and the way they just "do it" in dealing with their disease. I was inspired by the parents - who are scared for their kids, but who try their best to manage and carry on and make life as normal as possible; knowing it isn't normal - at all..
I was inspired by the friends who showed up in support. I left that walk thankful... for the health of my daughter and more determined than ever to try to help find a cure.