Monday, August 30, 2010

Take a second look

The blond boy that you treat as you do…
The one you don’t give a second thought.
He was diagnosed when he was two
You can’t imagine his life’s lot.

His smile is contagious
His laughter full of the sun
He hops and skips and runs and jumps
Yet his world has come undone.

He pokes his fingers 8 times a day
Brown speckles mark each spot.
A needle inserted into his flesh
You would think he’d complain a lot.

But when he does this daunting task
His eyes twinkle with delight.
He knows it’s a grown up thing to do
He only wants to do what’s right.

A two inch needle we insert
Into his little hip.
We do this a few times a week
To attach his insulin drip.

Most children at that needles sight
Would cry and gnash their teeth
But not our boy, he’ll just close his eyes
And hold in all the grief.

He wears a pump around his waist
It’s there for all to see
He doesn’t notice it in his hast
No complaints from him, just glee.

He wants to make his family laugh
He knows the burden that they bear
He’s never thought to think of himself
And the work it takes for his care.

The lows come quickly and his body fails
He falls to the ground with no life
His eyes half mast he asks for food
Sorry to give his mother strife.

And then the highs make his stomach hurt
His heart starts beating fast
He has to pee and can’t think straight
He scrambles for his water glass.

But when the high is over
He snuggles at his family’s side.
He says he’s feeling better now
His sadness he tries to hide.

He has lived lifetimes of pain
And he is only six years old
But you would never know this to be true
His happiness is so bold.

Through all this, he’s a pillar of strength
A rainbow of hope for all to see
He is the sun on a stormy day
So here begins my plea…

You do not know what this boy bears
You do not know his strength.
You do not know he prays every night
For he and his brothers to be safe.

So when you see him, take another look
And marvel at his grace.
For he is a person to give your awe
There is more than a smiley face.

Put your hand around his shoulder
Tell him that you are proud of who he is
Look past his imperfections
He is an amazing kid.

Because:
He is more than diabetes
He is more than all the pain
He is more than a blood sugar number
He is the sun through the piercing rain.


L, Making his brothers laugh.

30 comments:

  1. Oh My Gosh - Meri - WOW! So Beautiful!

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  2. That was absolutely BEAUTIFUL....and such a perfect picture ;)

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  3. You can see it..."the sun through the piercing rain" via your words and the photo.

    Thanks Meri for sharing.

    LOVE YA!!!

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  4. Aw, man! Meri, you make me cry with just how beautiful you and your boys are! I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about in the way your boys see you and the care you give them as they get older. The real worry is going to come when they get old enough to date and can't find a woman nearly as gorgeous, inside and out, as their mommy is!

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  5. Simply wonderful!
    Please send it to his school.

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  6. So sweet! And what an awesome picture of them :)

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  7. beautiful...thanks for sharing, and yes I 'm crying again.

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  8. Oh wow meri you are amazing and you have a beautiful family . Oh my gosh look at all of them . I can remember when my boys were little like this . such a beautiful family you have .

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  9. Thank you for sharing. You definitely have some amazing boys in your life! They are just as lucky to have such an amazing mother. Thanks again for sharing.

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  10. Amazing post. So perfectly stated.
    I agree... send it to his teacher.

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  11. What a darling picture! Just perfect... I'll be sharing this soon!!! I love it .... and I love you!

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  12. I have to agree with every one else, BEAUTIFUL!! You have an amazing way with words. Blessings to you and yours!

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  13. Thank you Meri.
    It was straight from your heart to mine.
    We had a difficult moment here. Thank you for reminding of the bright side!
    Love You!
    Raisa

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  14. So beautiful! I love the picture of the boys...priceless.

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  15. Well, that made me cry. What a sweetheart your little L is. And I love that picture! My dad is one of four boys and they gave their parents hell. Yours seem so sweet...

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  16. Beautiful poetry, Meri! He is a pillar of strength because of you, and he is (just as any of us CWD are/were) more than diabetes because of the strength and guidance you gave us as parents. So, knowing what your son will likely one day echo with each breath to you: Thank you for what you do.

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  17. Creative, powerful and lovely! What a tribute!

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  18. Wow, that is so beautiful and touching. Brings tears to my eyes. A testament to having a wonderful mother!

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  19. Wow Meri - You are something special and so are your children. That was beautiful!!
    Yvette

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  20. Thats so beatiful! Did you write that?! I am seriously in tears. Thank you for sharing!

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  21. I know I have said this 1 million times but I think you are so amazing!!!!!!!

    That is truly beautiful.

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  22. Oh Meri-

    I just can't find the words. So beautiful, so true, so YOU! I am so grateful to know you and your amazing family. L is one special, awesome boy; just like his momma.

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  23. Meri,

    this is absolutely b-e-a-utiful!

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  24. Extremely beautiful and moving Meri!

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  25. I just read it again.

    THAT, my friend, is ART in a most beautiful form.

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  26. So so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

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