I have many routines each day.

I check my BG as soon as I wake up. I make sure I always weigh myself before the shower (you know for that EXACT body weight). I listen to NPR on my way into work. I am a total creature of habit.

One habit I have, or routine, is identifying myself. I do this every morning and it is always a choice I make. Every time I make this choice, I am reminded of why I have made it and what it means to me.

You would assume that each day I think of the same thing as I do it but that is not the case. When I am in a good mood I feel like I am making a good choice and that I am proud of who I am. Other days I think about how scary living with diabetes can be and how I never know what is going to happen. Sometimes I feel sorry for myself and everyone who has diabetes.

Good, bad, or indifferent thoughts have yet to stop me from going through with the identification process. That being the two things I choose to put around my neck every day.

My medical ID necklace and a cross.

Each has an inscription. The ID necklace says "DIABETIC" and that is it. Brief? To the point? Sure. But it does not say that I am a father of two. That I love to laugh and listen to music. That I have many friends whom I love very much. Nothing even says that I am a Type 1 and that I have an insulin pump in my pocket. And yet, I feel safe when I put it on. I feel like in an emergency all the stuff I want people to know may not help save my life like this info could.

"So a paramedic will know what to do with me." I think the words in my head as I picture some awful accident and me, lying unconscious in the street somewhere. I know I should have it on but the thought of having to "need" it freaks me out. That is why I always start with this one first.

Then I put on my cross that says, "Christ is counting on you." The words pop into my head throughout the day. They help keep me focused and wanting to be a good guy. The cross is heavy but the weight feels good. It reminds me that my belief is that Christ is counting on me but I am counting on Him much MUCH more. It brings me the most comfort and reminds me that if I do have some awful accident, I will be okay. Even when I leave this world I will be okay. I need that.

"This is so the paramedic will call a local church and get someone to pray for me." I really think that! Although I know that no paramedic would do that unless maybe they believed in God. It sounds silly but it still comforts me. That is why I put it on last. I like having that be the thought before I set out into the world.

So I will continue to go through this process every single day.

I have diabetes and I am a Christian.

One thing I am not, is scared to identify myself as either.