It is the little things...

A finger poke with a nice blood droplet.

A perfectly healed up arm.

A non-hurting site injection.

A sister-to-sister meter race that ends with a tie.

A waiter who actually understands why you need an appetizer STAT.

A nurse that turns the other cheek when you steal latex gloves in order to create a chicken head.

A friend who thinks your pump is cool.

A doctor who doesn't emphasize an unattainable A1C.

A neighbor who offers to watch your girls for an evening.

A loaded carb treat just because you want to.

A perfect carb free treat because you want to.

A flat line on the CGM.

A coach who isn't scared to play you.

A teacher who understands the need to wait for an in-range blood sugar.

A test strip discovered in a remote place to remind you that others have walked the same path.

Most importantly,

A day where you forget all about type 1 diabetes.

Post Walk - Another Year Has Come and Gone

The 2011 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes was held this past Saturday.  The turnout was much the same; families and businesses coming together in an effort to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes and to funnel research dollars into a possible cure. 

This is our fifth year of participating in the walk. 

There is no cure.

We walked because it is our duty.  Simply because if the families decide not to walk, then the corporations will  lose interest in our disease and move onto one of those "hot topic" diseases that seem to gather lots of media attention.  If we stop walking, JDRF, our biggest advocate of finding a cure, will lose funding and government pressure will cease to exist.  If we stop walking, my girls will think that we have given up hope.

If that happens, there will still be no cure.

Over the years, my walk tears have dried up.  I now find myself positioned as a team captain for our group.  Lining us up for photo shoots, passing our parking vouchers, ensuring that everyone walking has found their way to the food tent, or the petting zoo or to the bathrooms. 

People see me smiling.  I laugh, nod at strangers and make silly jokes to keep the newest team members from feeling sad.  After it is over, I hug everyone and thank them for coming.  I hear a lot of them say they can't wait for next year! 

And I know next year will come.  The year after, too.  In fact, it will be years before we have even FDA approval for new technology.  Most certainly, a cure is far, far, far in the future.

In the future.  In the future.  In the future.

But still, someday.

Link to Amazing Giveaway from Too Sweet via The Princess and the Pump

http://www.theprincessandthepump.com/2011/01/my-too-sweet-giveaway.html

The Princess and the Pump have teamed up with Too Sweet to give away one adorable Pajama pouch.  Details are on The Princess and the Pump blog. 

I hope someone wins.  These pump pouches are fantastic.  Our family ordered the minky belt with teal fabric in December and both girls rave over how soft it is.  For the first time in four years, when my little one wears it, there is no scratched skin or angry red lines where the belt has rubbed.  It is absolutely like wrapping your tummy in mink.  Just pure softness.