Folks, I've been offline and out of the loop for several weeks, as I've just endured a really rough December!
Back on December 12, during what I thought was going to be a routine pediatrician visit, we learned that my daughter Ava has Type I Diabetes! There's a whole lot more drama to tell than I'm going to share here in this blog entry, but last month my wife and I unexpectedly spent 8 days living at Children's Hospital here in Boston taking care of our daughter, and learning about diabetes. The irony of meeting Andy Mandell, Mr. Diabetes, in the past year is not lost on me… Andy – you're the best. Thanks for being a part of my life, and part of this UBBT!
Our time in the hospital was terrifying, stressful, and sleepless, but after crash courses in how to check blood sugar, measure foods, count carbohydrates, draw and inject insulin — and after surviving illnesses, complications, and three major snowstorms in a week's time — we finally left the hospital exhausted and overwhelmed on December 20. Just in time for the holidays, but totally lacking the holiday spirit, to be sure.
Family, friends, and my UBBT teammates have been a HUGE help during our little crisis. Everyone really stepped up with their gifts, offers to help, errands, kind words of support, ears to listen, shoulders to cry on, and prayers. My students really stepped up in my absence to make sure classes continued to run at the dojo, too. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU. My family and I are truly blessed!
I've easily spent more time on my knees in the past 3 weeks to ask for strength than I have in the past 30 years. And to spend time in Children's Hospital, seeing so many other children who are REALLY sick, REALLY injured, and REALLY challenged — well that was a real eye opener for me. I guess I could complain about my daughter's illness, but not after seeing so many other children and parents who are dealing with far greater challenges display such courage, resolve, and bravery. Now THAT was a gift. And at just 17 months old, Ava has been a real trooper through all of the drama. She is truly one of my living heroes!
We're all still extremely stressed, scared, and unsure of the way forward, but our little family is getting back to the "new" normal now. Life can and must go on!
So I'm 3 weeks behind on all of my UBBT training, and I'm getting sore all over again doing my pushups, crunches, and bag work. But this is my Black Belt Test. I've spent some time drawing up new, exciting, and challenging goals for 2008, including reducing my meat consumption, enforcing personal sleep discipline, laughing and playing more, and following my dreams.
I will serve as an example of the ultimate student. I will not quit and I will not fail. Nothing, and I mean nothing will keep me from becoming my best: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Watch me. Encourage me. Train with me.
Wishing you all peace, health, happiness, success, and abundance in the new year — with gratitude,
Jason Gould
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
http://www.karateinboston.com/
(617) 230-1973
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