Lately I have really been thinking about the quality of life and enjoying every waking moment with the people we love and cherish. I also made a vow to myself that if anyone was weighing on my mind and heart heavily, I would reach out to them. In the past I have made excuses as to why I didn’t need to “bother” someone when my gut was telling me to reach out to them and when I finally did… it was too late! Last year I lost one of my high school girl friends at the age of 35. We had reconnected on Facebook and would speak on social media frequently. She was very open and transparent online and had a great personality. We would have these open discussions on twitter and it was our norm. She was pregnant and I was able to keep up with her pregnancy on Facebook and Twitter. She would post pictures of herself, baby shower pictures, the nursery and gifts she had received. I felt like I was a part of this amazing journey and never missed out on much being in different states. We had planned to connect after she gave birth and the baby was old enough to travel.
As she got closer to her due date she wasn’t online much but, I didn’t think anything of it. I wanted to reach out, but I talked myself out of it and said she’s nesting and a first time mom getting ready to give birth to her son. One day I was on Twitter for a split second and saw a few posts from her profile and it was obituary and memorial information. I assumed there was a death in her town or family and she was just passing on information. I still didn’t want to bother her. A couple of weeks went by and I finally decided to jump on Facebook to send her a private message to check up on her and talk. She was in her last trimester and preparing to give birth any day. When I got to her page all I saw was her obituary and post after post of condolences from family and friends. I broke down immediately! It hurt me so bad, what happened? Why did it happen? Why didn’t I reach out when my gut told me to. I was heart broken! There were some complications and she slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness. She and her son passed away! I am still trying to process this and come to terms with what happened a year and a half later!
It bothered me that I strolled right by her obituary and memorial information on Twitter. It bothered me that I wanted answers, but who am I? Right before this holiday season I was hit with two sudden deaths of two people I consider friends that I still can’t seem to process. I think what bothers me most about these two recent situations is that… A. I had spoken to my girlfriend on Facebook recently and she seemed fine. She did have diabetes and I assume this played a part in her passing. She was only a year older than me. B. I saw my other friend last Saturday at the Mall. She was finishing up some Christmas shopping, we chat for a moment and planned to connect after the holidays. The last thing I said to her was “see you soon”! I got word that she passed on Wednesday. I immediately broke down and the only thing I could say was… but I just saw her! She also was a diabetic and we assume that may have played a part in her passing. I don’t know when I will be at peace with these unexpected circumstances! It made me take a closer look at Gestational, Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.
My dad has diabetes and I think about him all the time. I always try to check in and make sure that he is eating healthy and taking his medications properly. Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. It can also be called hyperglycemia. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of diabetes. The body doesn’t produce insulin with Type 1 Diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Gestational Diabetes affects women who have high glucose levels during pregnancy. It starts when her body isn’t able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the blood and be changed to energy. I pray that people diagnosed with this disease stick to healthy meals, taking medication as prescribed and paying attention to your body’s signs or symptoms. I always feel horrible when I think someone’s death could have been prevented!
I pray for peace of mind to EVERYONE that has ever lost a loved one! Grieving is a necessary process and difficult transition. “We grieve with HOPE” 1 Thessalonians 4:13