Unfathomable loss

I am sorry to say that fellow diabetes CareGiver blogger and DOC member, Meri Schuhmacher lost her husband Ryan on September 2nd to cancer. Meri and Ryan have four boys, three of whom have type I diabetes.

I never met Ryan, Meri or their children but the pain that they feel is as real to me as if they were part of my own family. I believe that connection is a direct result of the power that the diabetes online community creates in our lives.

Meri has a wonderful blog called 'Our Diabetic Life' and spoke today about the loss of her husband. I think that everyone would benefit from reading what she has shared. I urge you to reflect on the fact that her words of anguish have been permanently added to the collective that is our community. The gift of the DOC is not just the people in it or the connections that we make. It is also a repository for our struggles, pain and triumph that will assuage others tomorrow and beyond. 

Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight and then support Meri and her family in any way that you can. There is no better way to give back to the DOC then to support one of it's own in their greatest time of need.

When you are finished reading her words please leave Meri a message of support. And if you are able, I hope that you will add a few dollars the the fund that friends of the family have created to help with the costs associated with this tragedy. http://www.giveforward.com/schuhmacherfamilymiracle2. May you all be well...

With a heavy heart,

Scott

My Guest post at 'The Life of a Diabetic'

Chris at 'The Life of a Diabetic' is running a 'Diabetes Parenting Week' feature on his blog and he was kind enough to ask me to contribute. The piece I wrote titled, 'Letting your Kids be Kids even with Diabetes' kicks off the week today. 

I wasn't just excited to be a part of what Chris is doing becasue he's a good guy and I like his blog, though that was part of my decision making process. Mainly, I love the idea of blogs that are mostly read by PWD hearing a little bit about the CareGiver side of type I diabetes. I hope you enjoy my take on the subject and if you can, please take a moment to let Chris know that you found his site through 'Arden's Day'.

My back to school posts will begin later this week as Arden doesn't go back to school for a few more days.

Talk to you soon, Scott

Diabetes Art Day 2012

Diabetes Art Day is organized and facilitated by Lee Ann Thill, diabetes blogger at The Butter Compartment, diabetes advocate, and art therapist. Having lived with type 1 diabetes since 1978, Lee Ann is dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes-related mental health issues, and advocating for improved mental health services that include arts-based programming. - diabetesartday.com

I really hope that the readers of Arden's Day can take a few moments to check out what year three of Diabetes Art Day is all about... I think you'll like what you find and participate if you take a look.

You can see the fantastic art work that was submitted last year and the year before by following these links. Let your inner-Picaso lose and go make some diabetes art!

Good morning from Chincoteague Island, VA

Good morning from Chincoteague Island, VA, we are are more then half way through our family vacation and i thought today would be a good time to check in with all of you and say hello. This morning around five Arden's DexCom CGM woke me when her BG dropped just below 90. I set a temp basal for an hour and snuck outside to take some pictures of the beautiful sunrise that the island enjoys. We are having a great week and I hope you are too! Lots of relaxing, fishing (we don't catch much), beach bumming and enjoying downtime together. I'm mixing in the last bit of writing I have before handing in my book, 'Life is Short, Laundry is Eternal' that is due to the publisher in a few days. Here are a few pictures from my sunrise photo walk that I just shared on Instagram... I guess that we'll be back to life before we know it, the kids just received their school schedules so they are beginning to countdown the days. Be well, I'll be back (too) soon.

Wordless (Instagram) Wednesday

Let's not mince words (especially since it's wordless Wednesday)... If you dig these pics, find me on Instagram. 

@ArdensDay on Instagram (and Pinterest too)... see you there! For background info about these pictures head over to the 'Visual Record'.