Sunday, June 6, 2010

What's In A Name?

card I received from my sister-in-law

Hope and Beginnings...I had a hard time trying to pick out a name for this blog, although I will probably talk about diabetes a lot, I know that I will be sharing things with you that have nothing to do with type 1 diabetes. Although, since my girls were diagnosed I believe that my direction in life and my passions have been changed to some degree because of it.

I still have all of the same values in life, but the things that I have always wanted to do, well...I don't think I would have done half of them if it weren't for T1. I know to some of you this may sound slightly ridiculous, so please bear with me.

About 15 years ago I sat down with my best friend and we each wrote a list...50 Things I Want To Do Before I Die...we were young, silly teenagers with big dreams!

Now, here I am fifteen years later and I have only done 5 things off of that list! I realize that many of us have written these kinds of lists and life, love and the everyday stuff just kind of takes over and at times gets in the way of our dreams...it's not that it is a bad life, it's just a different one then the one I had written down so long ago. I definitely never envisioned that I would have type 1 diabetes be a part of that life, now that it is, I really needed to sit down and think about what I want out of this new life...this life that includes syringes, test strips, insulin, low blood sugars and high blood sugars and everything in between.

I am learning a lesson about life these days, one that I would have rather learned on my own without my daughters having to be diagnosed with diabetes, but regardless...I am learning a lesson. For me the lesson is this...life is short, we never know what obstacles we will face and there has never been a better time then the present to just live it to the fullest!!!

So back to my list I wrote 15 years ago, I have since lost it and I am really trying hard to find it again because I would love to share with you what was on it...I think we all would have a good laugh, I know a large portion of it was all of the concerts I wanted to go to...something on many teenage minds I am sure! Another thing that I remember was I wanted to go skydiving...not anymore!!! It's funny how our interests and passions can change over time, I am now working on a new list and it is one that is very different then the one I wrote so long ago. My new list also has a new name...

"My Life List"

I spent many years only taking care of my family and putting my needs on the back burner, taking care of my kids is always my number one priority but I realize that my needs and my dreams are just as important and will probably make me a better mother, wife, friend etc. if I am doing the things that fill me up and spark creativity, joy and fulfillment in my life. When I realized that my daughters were going to have to live with diabetes for the rest of their life, I decided that I needed to be a better role model for them as to how they live that life. I wanted to be the person that shows my girls that no matter what life gives us, we can enjoy it and live it with great joy and fulfillment. I know that they will face a lot more obstacles then I could ever imagine and I don't want my girls to wait too long to do what makes them happy and I don't want them to ever feel like diabetes is going to get in the way of living it up to the fullest. I want them to live, love and do the things in life that give them great joy...and so do I.

So...HOPE...

  • I am hopeful that a cure for diabetes will be found.
  • I am hopeful that my blog will have a positive impact on other families faced with a type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
  • I am hopeful that my blog will have a positive impact on ANYONE who stops by and takes the time to read .
  • I am hopeful that my girls will live a long, healthy, happy life filled with all of their dreams realized.
  • I am hopeful that in some way I may inspire others to do their part in making our world a better place, whether that is by encouraging people to volunteer, share their story or make a difference in any way.
  • I am hopeful that this blog will inspire me
  • I am hopeful...
And...BEGINNINGS...
  • Beginning to live a fuller life.
  • Beginning to try new things...what's the worst that could happen...I fail (SO WHAT)! I try something else.
  • Beginning to connect with other families who are living with type 1 diabetes.
  • Beginning to face my fears, it's kind of my new mantra...
"Do not be afraid of change, be afraid of not changing."

My sister-in-law sent me a card with that saying on the front if it, this was over three years ago and I still have it on my fridge, it inspires me daily. After T1 entered our lives it had an even greater impact on me and on how I lived my life.

  • Beginning to live in the moment...don't let those beautiful little moments go by unrecognized.
  • Beginning to open myself up to the possibility...of what I'm not sure...just waiting to find out.
So that is what's in a name, I'm sure that it will continue to grow with me, but for now I think that kind of sums it up.
Hope and Beginnings...I hope you will join me for the journey!

11 comments:

  1. Beautiful blog! My daughter was dx almost 3 months ago. It has been a roller coaster. I went from the worst day of my life, to grateful my daughter was a live, to we can do this, to hitting my wall a week or so ago and the reality of this is forever is jut setting in.

    I love this paragraph! It sums up my thoughts over the past week. This will be the new place that I seek to find:
    "I spent many years only taking care of my family and putting my needs on the back burner, taking care of my kids is always my number one priority but I realize that my needs and my dreams are just as important and will probably make me a better mother, wife, friend etc. if I am doing the things that fill me up and spark creativity, joy and fulfillment in my life. When I realized that my daughters were going to have to live with diabetes for the rest of their life, I decided that I needed to be a better role model for them as to how they live that life. I wanted to be the person that shows my girls that no matter what life gives us, we can enjoy it and live it with great joy and fulfillment. I know that they will face a lot more obstacles then I could ever imagine and I don't want my girls to wait too long to do what makes them happy and I don't want them to ever feel like diabetes is going to get in the way of living it up to the fullest. I want them to live, love and do the things in life that give them great joy...and so do I."

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  2. This is a great and timely post, for you and for me too. I have also neglected myself, caught in the headlights of Type 1. But looking forward to fulfilling your own hopes and new beginnings is such a great way to teach your girls how to live. I am very happy to be a small part of this for you. Oh, and I look forward to hearing about it as you go along. Big hugs form England.

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  3. It was great to read that - you gave me a lot to think about!

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  4. "No matter what lives gives us, we can still have joy." Beautiful!!

    I could not agree more!!!!

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  5. Beautiful post!!! I can't wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish -- from your old list or a new one.

    Keep you chin up and stay strong!!!!!!

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  6. I am here to take the ride with you friend! I missed this post...I'm so glad I found it, it is beautiful, and is SO true. I need to start taking care of myself...I need to be that example for my boys. ;)

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  7. This is a great post Connie-thank you so much for sharing. I truly admire how you are approaching this with two little ones recently diagnosed. I look forward to reading about you checking off your list! You are setting an amazing role model for your girls.

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  8. hello, newbie here, saw you on a blogroll and thought I'd bounce on over...
    have you read "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller. It's amazingly great and inspired me to really fine tune my and my families story (or goals) ways to focus and be something that has direction and desires. It actually got me into writing family goals that I truly hope to follow through on.
    I'm looking forward to reading more about your hope and new beginnings. Enjoy the summer :)

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  9. Hi Sarah!

    I haven't read that book but it sounds really interesting and I think I may just have to go check that one out! Thanks for the suggestion :)

    Nice to "meet" you!

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  10. great blog and inspriration to our family. My two year just dx this year in March and we've trying to reach out to other diabetic families. Strong inspriration for us

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  11. @Vi and Joe...

    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and saying hello. I'm glad that my words have given you some inspiration, I'm so sorry to hear about your sons dx.

    It's always hard to hear about new families being diagnosed every day, it just breaks my heart. My hope is that my blog can offer support and inspiration to all who are facing the daily challenges that life can bring our way. Wishing you and your family all the best!

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