I enjoyed a night full of low blood sugars and little sleep on Sunday after an unexpected active weekend. It’s easy to get frustrated when that happens, but I walked into my office Monday morning and had the joy of hanging another medal on my board.
Ten years ago, I drank way too much and took horrible care of my diabetes. My health wasn’t even close to being a priority in my life. Did you know I used to smoke, too? Yeah, not my best years. But life is different these days. I found a form of exercise in cycling that I enjoyed. Over time, I fell in love with it and my life changed. I stopped smoking. I quit drinking so much. My desires changed, and my goals shifted. My diabetes became a priority, meaning my health and my future became a priority. I started to love myself, busted pancreas and all.
I know I talk about cycling a lot, maybe too much. But it’s because I believe this sport played a significant role in saving my life. I wasn’t headed anywhere good, but thanks to God’s grace, some amazing friends and a loaner bicycle, I’m headed somewhere amazing now. My future is bright because my body is strong. My pancreas might still be busted, but the rest of my organs are looking strong. I’ll even put up with a few midnight lows along the way.
Thanks for letting me use this space to share a little about why I do what I do. The positive impact of cycling in my own life makes me want to share it with the whole world, and I can get a little passionate sometimes. I’ll fight for a cure until the day I die, usually on my bike. These medals don’t signify pride of accomplishment as much as they signify my determination to fight. Each medal is a reminder of someone I used to be and the someone I’m still working to become. Thanks for loving me, supporting me, encouraging me and even riding with me!
You can support my 2015 JDRF Burlington Ride here.