I get up every morning and start from behind. No, I’m not talking about my To-Do List. I’m talking about diabetes. I’ve been diabetic for so many years that my body has developed this syndrome called “The Dawn Phenomena,” whereby every morning, somewhere between 4:30-5am, my liver “dumps” lots of sugar into my bloodstream. This means that no matter how well I’ve taken care of myself during the day, I’m going to wake up behind the eight-ball. Even with taking extended-release medicine at midnight, I wake up with sugar levels well out of the normal range.
So, the first part of my day is spent playing “catch up” by eating the right foods, taking a short walk, sticking my fingers to check my “numbers” and injecting carefully measured doses of medicine. Really, fun, huh? But, soon enough, things are on an even keel and stay that way until 4:30 the next morning.
I tell you this story not so you’ll feel sorry for me. After all, I don’t. I’ve chosen to be grateful for modern medicine that has given me a shot (no pun intended!) at a normal life; in my parents’ youth, they may not have even survived the disease. I have close relatives who have died as a direct result of diabetes, one as young as 18.
What I want to say is that we all carry some sort of extra load – I don’t think anyone lives a totally stress-free life. We all start the day “from behind” in some way, every day. It could be caring for elderly parents, a sick child, a bad marriage, an illness of your own. My online friend, Tracy Todd, is a quadriplegic and she keeps me far away from EVER complaining. Go read her story on her blog if you want some inspiration!
I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter as much what happens to us, what matters is how we respond to what happens.
Here’s to my fellow overcomers!
You are such an encourager! Thanks so much for sharing your story. Your honesty is touching.
Jeanne, Your very presence is a great gift.
Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru
Thanks, Martha!
Honesty is much easier than wearing a mask – the mask becomes heavy; honesty is light.
Looking forward to your tweets and posts!
Jeanne
Bobbye,
You bring tears to my eyes!
Life is SO good, and I’m glad you’re in my community.
Jeanne
I haven’t written poetry in a long while, Jeanne. Somehow your story called to that poetic side of me that people rarely see. So please accept this poem as my way of showing you how much of a gift you are to me.
For You, Jeanne
Start behind or start ahead,
It really matters not.
What matters is what matters,
Matters of the heart.
I want to tell you “Thank you,”
But it doesn’t seem enough.
Words don’t seem to fit the bill,
“Blah, Blah” and all that stuff.
I will always think of you,
With a glad and grateful heart.
Extraordinary as you are,
I knew it from the start!
Melanie
Jeanne
Thank you for sharing that with us.
I totally resonate with what you say. We all start from behind. We never know what another is dealing with. I too have ‘befriended’ Tracy. She makes me laugh and cry in equal measure and she keeps me very grounded.
I am grateful to have you both in my life.
much love
Heather x
Thanks for the message and sharing your story. There is always someone who can inspire us regardless of our situation. You are so right, we all start behind in some way. Luckily, for us there are people like you that let us know we can sprint ahead and stay on top, even if we know we’ll fall behind the next morning.