Sunday, October 31, 2021

44

 

I'm still here :) 

44 years ago today I was diagnosed with diabetes. 

44 years of living with a busted pancreas. 

44 years that I've been here, that I wouldn't have been if insulin had never been discovered. 

As Diaversary tradition and in no particular order - my diabetes life gratitude list.

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  1. I’m still here
  2. Rooibos tea - my latest obsession. Actually, I’ve been drinking it since maybe 2005, but the last few years I’ve become OBSESSED with it
  3. Being an auntie to my nieces and nephews - I love them more than words can express
  4. My sister Cathy
  5. My family
  6. The Diabetes Online Community - Finding my tribe ROCKED MY WORLD & continues to do so, each and every day
  7. Sex
  8. The beach
  9. The ocean - there’s a reason we are three-quarters saltwater
  10. I’m a kickass soup-maker with an impressive soup repertoire
  11. Trump no longer presides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
  12. Wide shoes that aren’t ugly
  13. Theater - I can’t wait to go back!
  14. Books
  15. Beuno Bars - Seriously, GIVE THEM A TRY
  16. Teal Green and Chartreuse 
  17. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  18. Friends who are family. You know who you are and I love you
  19. Dogs
  20. Photography. I love taking pictures and people em to like my images. Also love learning about the history of photography and photographers
  21. Peanut Butter. I LOVE IT
  22. Kismet. When it happens it’s magic in action 
  23. Being my mother’s daughter. Marjory was the strongest, kindest woman I ever met. Being her daughter is an honor
  24. I found a hidden twenty in my wallet last week - AWESOME
  25. Insulin. It keeps me alive. Unfortunately, it’s fucking expensive and people are dying because they can’t fucking afford it and that’s gotta change!
  26. A bold Lipstick - it’s seriously life-changing, empowering, and energizing
  27. A really gorgeous and well-made coat. Instagram #coatporn, you’ll see what I’m talking about 
  28. Having a roof over my head
  29. Diabetes Advocacy 
  30. Purple
  31. Indie coffee and tea shops
  32. Diabetes technology
  33. Movies
  34. Pete Souza 
  35. Dorothea Lange - If you don’t know about her - watch Grab A hunk Of Lightning and prepare to be inspired
  36. Traveling. I miss it-can't wait to get back to it!
  37. Manatees
  38. Gardening
  39. Having enough oat milk for my morning coffee
  40. Perfectly seasoned, well-done home-fries 
  41. Music
  42. Reconnecting with old friends
  43. Making new friends
  44. Getting lost in nature - on purpose. 

4 comments:

StephenS said...

Kelly, Congratulations on 44 and all the wonderful things these years have brought you. Thanks for sharing and being such an awesome part of the diabetes community!

Janis Nussbaum Senungetuk said...

Congratulations, Kelly! Forty-four years living with diabetes equals tremendous persistence and requires a deep resolve to get up every day to face and tackle the challenges that lie ahead. Thank you for sharing your life filled with joy and beauty and for all of the support and love you show the diabetes community and the rest of the world.

Rick Phillips said...

Rocking 44 even more than you were rocking 43 !!!

cate in MHD said...

Cheers to 44 years, KK!