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However, I have decided (yet again) to provide you, the reader, my unadulterated opinion. I will construct my own definition of the word love and I will attempt to weave the words together to encourage us to embrace the concept of loving, not just our diagnosis; but ourselves as worthy breathing specimens deserving of affirmation. I encourage us to use the emotion/notion of love into the action of embracing who we are. Therefore, in my own terms, I define love as the attachment, affinity and the deeply caring, warm, emotional and passionate regard or feeling one holds for a person, place or thing. Okay, so with that being said, can we do that with, for and by our diagnosis? I say absolutely yes!

I love my type 2 diagnosis, because without the diagnosis I would be oblivious on how to care for myself and manage the disease and the complications of not knowing the type 2 diabetes that is present in my body would be life threatening. I adore my type 2 diagnosis by attending to it and paying close attention by testing my blood sugar levels and visiting with my physician. I am passionate about my type 2 diagnosis as evidenced by my commitment to educating others about it. Overtime, I have learned to embrace my disease and expressing acceptance of myself in this body that was given to me by a benevolent creator who makes no mistakes. I also have worked hard towards identifying other ways to celebrate my disease by joining a group of others who are managing type 2 diabetes and we have grown to love each other and care about our well-being together (Thank you Anna M.).

So this February I would like to leave you with a message of love. For you, for us, and for all. And we know that love is that powerful emotion that we can use to grow, change, evolve and move us in ways that will help us live longer, be happier and cherish each other in the battles we face as we get it together, sugar! I encourage us all to go out and spread the love of knowing our diabetes status and finding those around who will love and support us as we keep it together.

Got it, Sugar?

Good.

Read more of Kalimah Johnson's columns, Get it Together, Sugar, here.

Disclaimer

dLife's Daily Living columnists are not all medical experts, but everyday people living with diabetes and sharing their personal experiences. While their method of diabetes management may work for them, everyone is different. Please consult with your diabetes care team to find out what will work best for you.