My Greatest Living Hero

Today is July 24, 2009. It's my daughter's 3^rd birthday. So while I joyfully celebrate a milestone today, another, darker one lurks in the background: My daughter Ava was diagnosed at just 18 months as a Type I diabetic. So today, she has been living longer WITH the disease than she has without it. I am at once heartbroken by my daughter's challenges, and overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the advances in medicine and technology that enable her to live a [mostly] normal life.

My daughter gracefully endures countless finger sticks, needle injections, and infusion set changes. She has cranky parents who NEVER sleep. We've been to more doctor appointments and specialist consultations than I care to count. In the last 18 months, there have been terrifying blood sugar highs and equally scary lows, and one or two potentially deadly equipment malfunctions. Yet, Ava takes it all in stride. She's happy, She's carefree, She's energetic, intelligent — and damn funny, too.

And, man, is she tough!

She's my hero, and my greatest teacher.

Happy Birthday, Peanut!