Tuesday, February 28, 2012

I am humbled



This morning as Seth and I were in the kitchen making breakfast and lunches, I tentatively asked him how he thought the visit with Grandma and Grandpa went.  Seth looked at me and said "fine".  I said "really, because I was kind of upset".  Seth said "about the food comments?  I was getting mad about those."

I explained to him the reasons I was upset and finished with what I thought was a triumphant parenting moment.  "Your dad and I are don't want your life to be any different because of diabetes and I want people to understand that."

Seth looked at me and very quietly said "but it is mom".  I asked him how and his response was:

"My life is different because I have to have shots every day just to live.  Normal people don't do that.  I have to poke my fingers 8-10 times a day to test my blood.  Normal people don't do that.  In December, I could snack and eat whenever I wanted.  Since January, I am hungry all the time.  Normal people can eat whatever they want, whenever they want.  My life is VERY different and it is different BECAUSE of diabetes."

I blinked back tears and looked at this little man of mine...wise beyond his years and I apologized.  I told him I was sorry that I had been saying it wrong and in the process hurting him.  I stressed that it was not intentional.  I finished by saying that I want him to grow up understanding that Diabetes will be an everyday part of his life, but it does not have to limit him or stop him from achieving his dreams.  He thought about it and decided that was an acceptable thing to say, he could live with that.

Today, I was taught my most valuable D lesson by my son and I am humbled by his wisdom.

3 comments:

  1. Seth is awesome! Ben misses him!

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  2. Humbled, indeed.
    What a wise little man you have there.

    I think 'those' conversations are the hardest part of this disease. Hang in there!

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  3. D does change everything. I'm sad to read about what the grandparents were harping about. You just do what you know is right. Tell people that you and the doctors are working together for the best care possible and you aren't going to starve your child...he can still eat. But, like the scriptures teach: Moderation in ALL things!

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