Friday, September 24, 2010

The power of a great friend.

One of the things that I have missed the most over the last few weeks is being able to drop Adam off with one of his friends so he can play and I can, um, get some stuff done! Over the last few years, my friends and I have had a great system going where we all get "mama" time and our kids get to play together. It's been my saving grace as a SAHM.

I wanted to write about a great friend today. I can't even call her just great - she is amazing. She has been a rock for me over the last 6 years we have known each other, and when Adam was diagnosed with T1D, she was right there, front and center, telling me that everything was going to be okay.

We've all had friends who don't know what to say...or what to do when our child is diagnosed with a chronic disease. Some are scared, some don't understand, some just brush it under the rug and ask, "why are you so tired all the time?"

But this friend was supportive in the exact way I needed, although I didn't realize it until this morning. She was never scared of diabetes. She never freaked out at the idea of needles. She jumped in right away and said, "Teach me. Show me. Let me help you." That is what this mama needed.

And over the last 3 weeks, I knew she wasn't just "saying" it. Because she kept asking me, "Are you ready for me to have Adam over yet?"

This morning I was ready.

I dropped him off at preschool and handed her the diabetes bag. She's already been over and checked blood sugars on herself and Adam, so I know she can do it. She knows what to do if he's low or high. And, I am, of course, just a phone call away.

Over the next few weeks and months, I will show her how to calculate insulin. I know she'll be able to do it - because she showed me that she's not scared of it all. That is invaluable to me. Even if she's nervous on the inside, I know Adam trusts her implicitly (as do I) and it will all be fine.

And I think I'm going to go have a good cry right now, because of how blessed I am to have this person in my life.

9 comments:

  1. Well, Stephanie, you made me cry too! I KNOW how valuable it is to have someone who really wants to help you and wants to learn how to keep your little one safe. You have an amazing friend!!

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  2. That is awesome... I am so happy that you have this person in your life.

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  3. I am so VERY happy to read this post!!! Mama needs a break and you are so blessed to have such a wonderful community around you, Steph. I know you would do the same for her, if it was her child. I hope you were able to relax a bit. Hugs to you, Heather

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  4. What an amazing blessing! Breaks just don't come for us D Mamas. It takes an incredibly special person to be willing to step up to the plate and swing for the team.

    God bless your wonderful friend.

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  5. WOW! This is fantastic news Stephanie! It is hard to come by friends like this who aren't scared and who are willing to take on this role.

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  6. That IS amazing! What a wonderful friend! So glad you have her in your life!

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  7. You certainly do have an amazing friend! I wish I would have had someone like that from the get go. It is strange how diabetes can "weed out" your friends. I have lost a few in the past year but I have also gained a few others and I wouldn't have it any other way. Those friends are the ones who have been with me from the get go and not been scared or backed away.

    You my friend are SO blessed to have this right from the start! Kuddo's to her!

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  8. That is so cool. It is rare (esp. the needles part!)

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  9. I'm so happy that you have a friend like that!!! :)

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