The Ten Year Medal

A few months ago, we treated our youngest daughter to dinner.  She thought the day was meant to mark the end of the semester and to celebrate her successful straight-A report card.  In part, she was right.

The dinner was also meant to carve out a moment to reflect with a beautiful gift from Lilly upon reaching her 10-year journey with T1D.

Sharing this as a mom is quite difficult.  Each time I look at the pictures or think back to this dinner, the overwhelming 'realness' of what living with T1D really means, sinks in (or hits like a million of those proverbial bricks).  This is ten years of her childhood.  Ten years of wear on her little body.  Ten years of carrying the heavy emotional burden of chronic illness. Ten years of endless medical appointments for not one, but two autoimmune diseases.  Ten years of worry, sleepless nights and endless pokes and prods.

How do you celebrate that?

From the Lilly Diabetes Website: "Those who receive Lilly Diabetes Journey Awards are a testament to all people with diabetes that learning how to manage their health and adapting to the ever-changing technology of diabetes care can lead to a long and successful diabetes journey."

You celebrate ten years of living with Type 1 Diabetes because it is much more than that.

Ten years is a moment to reflect upon the journey of a baby that has blossomed into a beautiful young lady.  It is a girl that has more determination than any adult that I have ever met.  It is strength, fortitude and grace throughout every obstacle and challenge ever presented. It is the ability to do anything she wants with no limitations.  It is playing a multitude of sports, dancing and now, as a rising golf star.  It is forcing mom to accept sleepovers, sleep-away camp and solo trips with friends.  It is the desire to channel her experiences into helping others.  Most of all, it is the silliness, the quick wit, and the keen sense gaining endless knowledge to change the world,

Ten years ago, we were unaware of life with T1D.  Ten years ago, we were unaware of the need to change medical care.  Ten years ago, our family of four may not have realized the power of our love and commitment to each other.  Ten years ago, our friendship roots dangled and now they are firmly planted with the best extended family that we could hope for.

Today we are older, grayer and yes, wiser.

Today we more supportive, caring and compassionate.

Today we are focusing on our success and forgiving our failures.

Today we focus on a future that is undeniably beautiful and bright.

Today we focus on HER.

We love you, sweetpea.




To order your own Lilly Diabetes Journey Medal click HERE 






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