D-Meetup Replay
Here comes the ruling, friends. And, it looks like the officials have called a personal foul on Me, citing a major delay in posting this D-Meetup Recap. Sorry folks. Life happens.
On Saturday, April 3rd, a day when the Final 4 teams were meeting in Indianapolis to battle for the right to play in the last game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, another meeting was set to take place just south of Indy, between two members of the Diabetic Online Community’s (DOC’s) Indiana Team.
It was a D-meeting of “Mike-sized” proportions, as Michael Hoskins (#MHoskins2179), author of The Diabetic’s Corner Booth, and I met face-to-face for the first time. And while we weren’t competing for championships or anything of the sort, I still have to say Hoskins definitely had the home court advantage, considering he lives in Greenwood, where we met. I had been on vacation in Louisville, KY during the week leading to the meetup, and my route back to Fort Wayne, IN passed right through Greenwood. Jonathan Byrd’s Cafeteria, which is right off of I-65, made for a perfect meeting place for both of us.
The first half got off to a great start, and was filled with excitement all the way through.
| Mike and I met and exchanged pleasantries outside, and shared a story or two before making our way into the cafeteria. Having made our dinner selections, we found our way to a table. I’ll tell you, that was some of the best cold food I’ve had in a long time. With all the talking, and participating in the BBQ sauce taste test JB’s was conducting, our food was cold long before we were finished with it. The conversation and bonding experience was definitely worth it.
Michael and I are both newspaper guys; he’s a writer and I’m a code monkey (assistant systems manager). So, as you might imagine, work and the shape of our industry were among the many topics discussed throughout the course of lunch. We talked at length about our love of the Diabetic Online Community, advocacy efforts, and of course, our health. And, when it comes to our health, it’s safe to say we have a mutual respect for each other. Just as Mike can’t imagine what I’ve been through with my double diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure, I can’t imagine what it’s been like for him living with Type 1 diabetes for 26 years. I mean, he was diagnosed the year I was born. Amazing! |
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At halftime, it was decided a change of venue was needed before the meetup could continue. So, we left JB’s and headed over to the Hoskin’s residence for the second half, which was filled with just as much excitement as the first half.
When we got there, we were greeted by Mike’s wife, Suzi, and their dog, Riley. At first, Riley barked, and even got a bit snippy with me, but as you can see in the photo, she quickly warmed up to me. What can I say, animals love me for some reason. And to further prove that, check this out. Mike & Suzi’s cat, Shadow, also came down to see what all the fuss was about. Now, I was told that Shadow is anti-social, and that might be true, but it was hard to tell when the cat jumped up on the arm of the loveseat and nuzzled up to me. It’s a damn shame the picture I tried to take didn’t turn out. We threw a ball around with Riley for a while, as we continued to talk about life. We talked about the highlights of my vacation that was ending, Mike’s love of visiting newspapers and Suzi’s love of visiting zoos. I invited them to come to Fort Wayne sometime, and I’d take them to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. |
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While I was at their house, Mike & Suzi introduced me to the Ninja Dolls that I had heard so much about. Suzi did an awesome job making those little ninjas. I posed with them for a photo, and when I left, Mike & Suzi gave me one of them to bring home. Way cool! In honor of the DOC’s favorite ninja, George Simmons, I’ve named him”Little G”. Look for more posts on the Adventures of Little G in the near future.
And on that note, I’d like to thank Mike & Suzi for welcoming me into their home as they did. I really do appreciate the hospitality, and the gift. |
| No D-Meetup would be complete without a photo of the participants. So, before I departed for Fort Wayne, Mike and I posed for a picture on his front porch. Thanks to Suzi for doing the honors.
So, that’s it ladies and gentlemen. The D-meetup is in the history books, and what an exciting and memorable time it was. We may not have battled for championships, but Mike and I both walked away winners. He has his first meetup, and I have my second. We both have photos, and I have a Ninja Doll. More importantly, though, we each have a new diabetic brother. Rock on! |
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Mike
Living with a Confusing Pancreas and a Broken Heart at age 36 #Diabetes #LADA #CongestiveHeartFailure. #MakeDiabetesVisible Creator, #ALittleHeartCanDoBigThings Creator, Advocate, Blogger, Nature Photographer.
6 Comments
George
Sounds like an awesome time! Meet-ups are so great. And those Ninja dolls are awesome too. I feel so honored to be named honorary OC Ninja but I like to think that anyone who lives with diabetes is Ninjabetic. It’s takes being a ninja to live with this stupid disease.
You rock Mike and who knew you were the pet whisperer?! 🙂
Mike
You’re absolutely right, George. We’re all Ninjabetics!
robbin67
thats a great story michael…
Mike
Thanks!
Michael Hoskins
Can’t believe it’s taken this long to get on here and post a comment! Awesome blog post, Mike! Yes, the D-Meetup of the Mikes was great and I feel honored to have had the chance to share a meal with and welcome Mike to my home. We had a great time! And yes, the ninjas – while inspired by SuperG – do represent that mindset that we’re ALL ninjabetics in battling diabetes, chronic heart failure, or whatever the chronic condition. We fight on!
Scott K. Johnson
Awesome! Sounds like a really great time. D-Meetups usually are. I’m sure the time just flew by, especially with the other stuff you guys have in common too (newspaper work, etc.).
And there’s Little G… I love it!