The Pursuit of Perfection: Part 3
Posted by Lori Brown on Friday, February 24, 2012
"Life is what happens to you while you are busy making plans."
John Lennon
John Lennon
This quote always reminds me of what we were doing prior to our oldest daughter, Alex, being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes six years ago. It's also how many of us live our lives; oblivious to what is happening right before our eyes because we are busy pursuing the perfect path.
I have spoken in other blogs about Alex's perspective and acceptance of her diabetes. I have also discussed the fact that we, her parents, lag behind in this acceptance. This month while I have been sharing my thoughts on pursuing perfection I realized that we were still looking back wishing things were different and hoping things would get easier for Alex. We have continued to hope for something different when what was happening before our eyes was already perfect.
The fact that Alex sees her diabetes as a gift is inspiring in and of itself. Now she is giving that gift to others. She is mentoring young kids with diabetes. A few weeks ago, I watched her stand in front of these children and their parents with complete ease and explain why she does this. She explained that while she had the support of her family, she wished she had known someone a few years older who understood what she was going through. She wants to be that person for them. She explained that when she spends time with her mentor group they make crafts, talk, laugh and they often don't discuss diabetes because its enough to know that they get eachother. She wants to give them hope, love, understanding and the knowledge that they can do anything. She wants them to know they are perfect.
While we were hoping things were different for Alex, she was pursuing her own idea of perfection and I can't imagine a more perfect life.
I have spoken in other blogs about Alex's perspective and acceptance of her diabetes. I have also discussed the fact that we, her parents, lag behind in this acceptance. This month while I have been sharing my thoughts on pursuing perfection I realized that we were still looking back wishing things were different and hoping things would get easier for Alex. We have continued to hope for something different when what was happening before our eyes was already perfect.
The fact that Alex sees her diabetes as a gift is inspiring in and of itself. Now she is giving that gift to others. She is mentoring young kids with diabetes. A few weeks ago, I watched her stand in front of these children and their parents with complete ease and explain why she does this. She explained that while she had the support of her family, she wished she had known someone a few years older who understood what she was going through. She wants to be that person for them. She explained that when she spends time with her mentor group they make crafts, talk, laugh and they often don't discuss diabetes because its enough to know that they get eachother. She wants to give them hope, love, understanding and the knowledge that they can do anything. She wants them to know they are perfect.
While we were hoping things were different for Alex, she was pursuing her own idea of perfection and I can't imagine a more perfect life.