My diva-betic dances circles around your honor student!

If only that was a real bumper sticker. Cham wouldn't let me tote it if it were. She hates when I have to ask for the nutritional guide at restaurants. Draws attention to it and just reminds her that we can't just go out for a meal without using math..tee hee. On to the reason behind this post.



I've seen this commercial about 20 times this summer while the kids are watching TV. I watched the mothers in the commercial watch their children intently as they trained and thought about how I do the same thing with Cham and Colton when they are performing or playing. It wasn't until I read the D-Mom blog that I realized I wasn't the only d-mom who watched that commercial differently than a mom who is simply proud when her children succeed. Don't get me wrong, I wax poetic when my kids do well. But.....when I watch Cham dance, not only is it the most beautiful thing on the planet, it's the rawest form of bravery I have ever been forced to face. I stick, poke, and draw blood from that child all day long and all she concerns herself with is perfecting a combination or memorizing choreography. She is extremely resilient and has been since d-day. I thank God that Cham's studio's teachers understand and continue to learn about diabetes. I can drop her off at dance and know that I am only 5 minutes away if I need to get to her. They know her symptoms and text me immediately. But, there are times like last week at a dance intensive with new teachers and choreographers, that I had to endure sitting for 7 hours as she danced because I can't trust they'll know what to do if something goes wrong. I envy the mothers in this commercial as they drop their kids at practice and leave without the same worries as a d-mom has to face every damn day. So, thank you D-Mom, Leighann, I'm glad you posted "Thank you, Mom." It was like taking the thoughts right out of my head! 

HOW GOD SELECTS THE MOTHER OF A CHILD WITH DIABETES

by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with diabetes are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
“Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint Matthew.”
“Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint Cecilia.”
“Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint Gerard. He’s used to profanity.”
Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles, “Give her a child with diabetes.” The angel is curious. “Why this one, God? She’s so happy.”
“Exactly”, smiles God. “Could I give a child with diabetes to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel.”
“But has she the patience?” asks the angel.
“I don’t want her to have too much patience, or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she’ll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I am going to give her has her own world. She has to make it live in her world and that’s not going to be easy.”
“But Lord, I don’t think she even believes in you.”
God smiles. “No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness.”
The angel gasps. “Selfishness? Is that a virtue?”
God nods. “If she cannot separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with less than perfect.”
“She does not realize it yet, but she is to be envied. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see…ignorance, cruelty, prejudice…and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as if she is here by my side.”
“And what about her patron saint?” asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air. God smiles. “A mirror will suffice.”
~By Erma Bombeck

So, I will end with that tonight. Am I frustrated? YES. Am I scared to death? Yes...all the time. Do I shout at the Heavens and ask with a dramatic gesture, "WHY MY CHILD?" Absolutely NOT. I know why. Cham was put on this planet for one simple reason. To beat diabetes. It is quite simply her destiny to take diabetes by the syringes and dance with it. It's what she does best.