More Than Diabetes

Well, it’s the last day of Diabetes Blog Week and today we’re not talking about diabetes.  Because there’s more to life than diabetes.

Today’s Prompt: More Than Diabetes – Friday 5/19
Lets wrap up the week by sharing a little more about ourselves, beyond the chronic illness we or our loved ones live with.  Share an interest, hobby, passion, something that is YOU.  If you want to explore how it relates to or helps with diabetes you can.   Or let it be a part of you that is completely separate from diabetes, because there is more to life than just diabetes!  (This topic is a suggestion from the 2016 #DBlogWeek survey.)

When living with chronic health issues that require constant attention, it is easy to become so consumed by those thoughts that we lose sight of the fact that there’s more to life than just those health issues. Sure, they are always with us, but they should not be the center of attention all the time.

I much prefer to devote my time and attention to the people and things in my life that are the most important to me. Like April and the time we get to spend together. Nature photography and other arts.

For the past few years, April has been living in California while dealing with family matters, and I’m still carrying on life here in Indiana.  We don’t get to see each other often, so what time we are together is all the more meaningful.  My most recent trip to see her was in February, during the week of Valentine’s Day.  This was our 14th Valentine’s Day and it was important to me that we be able to spend it together in some special way. So, I arranged for us to spend a few days in San Francisco.

We did a lot of the typical touristy stuff that folks do when they go to San Francisco.  We spent time at Fisherman’s Wharf, the Aquarium of the Bay, and rode the trolleys and cable cars around town.  We spent time checking out some of the shops and art galleries as well.  All of that was planned and we enjoyed every minute of it.  But the most memorable thing we did on Valentine’s Day came about by accident.  And I’m so thankful that it did.

We happened upon an charter boat outfit that was offering cruises on the San Francisco Bay for an incredibly cheap price.  It was the last cruise of the day. A sunset cruise that would take us out under the Golden Gate Bridge and then around Alcatraz Island before returning to port.  So, we jumped at the opportunity and it was amazing.  When we reached the bridge, a crew member offered to take our photo for us.   I snapped a shot of us together as well.  And they are probably my favorite photos from the whole trip.  They capture us together and having a damn good time on a special day.

Those are precious memories that I hope will linger forever.  And that I hope to relive again someday soon.

In the mean time, I’m here in Indiana.  Trying to keep my head above water and finding things to occupy my time.  Most of my free time these days is spent on traveling, nature photography, and painting.  Spending time in nature and capturing the beauty around me is very therapeutic.  It helps me disconnect from the digital world in which I live and work.  It helps restore my sanity and gives me strength and peace in the hard times.  Painting is much the same for me.  Only messier.  Here’s a small sampling of my work.

There’s so much more to this life than diabetes.  There is so much more to me.  I try to remember that.  I hope you remember that as well.  And I hope that you’ll join me in pledging to remember that going forward.  Leave a comment to sign the pledge.  And, if you’d like, tell me who you’re signing for.  Why does it matter to you?   Thanks for reading.  Lots of love, my friends.

The Pledge

We, the undersigned, acknowledge and understand that we, as PWD’s, are not the only people affected by the disease with which we have been diagnosed. That our loved ones endure the struggles of this diagnosis along side us. We pledge to remember this, to show appreciation for their support, and to support them in return.

We, the undersigned acknowledge and understand that there is much more to life than diabetes and that it is important to take every opportunity to enjoy life in the moment. We pledge to stop and smell the roses and make memories, like the one above, as often as possible.

We, the undersigned, pledge to always remember the importance of making time for our families, and for ourselves.

Signed,

Mike Durbin. (And hopefully everyone who reads this. 🙂 )

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