This time of year always reminds me of the many gifts life has brought me.

Sure, things are difficult at times.  But we simply can't let those difficult times be our focus.  This realization is a gift from my mother. 

At the time of my diagnosis, and in the many years since, she has again and again (sometimes with just a knowing glance or a soft smile), let me know that I can do the difficult things.  She has told me, with confidence, that I am strong, smart, capable.  And she has reminded me that the thing that says the most about a person is how they behave or react when things are challenging.

So recently, when I started thinking about writing an essay to be featured on Rhode Island Public Radio's This I Believe program, I instantly thought of my mother.  This I Believe is a program conceived by radio pioneer Edward R. Murrow.  It asked every day people to write an essay about experiences that shaped a core value or belief.  Although NPR no longer runs This I Believe, here in Rhode Island, we run the essays of local folks on a weekly basis.  The program is hosted by a volunteer named Rick Reamer (who is just awesome) and essayists read their own stories.  I'm honored that my essay was selected for the program. 

My piece, "Mother's Face," will run tomorrow on WRNI, 102.7 FM in Providence/1290 AM in Southern Rhode Island and streaming live on http://www.wrni.org/ at 6:35 and 8:35 am and at 5:45 pm. 

If you can't listen live, you can visit the This I Believe Rhode Island page of WRNI's website at: http://www.wrni.org/content/i-believe-–-rhode-island, scroll down to hear the essay.

In essence, it's about the gifts that get us through tough times - it's about my mother and the grace she's shown. 

An excerpt:

I believe that living can't be about the easy things.  And I believe in my mother's face.

I remember my mother's face the day I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1982.  Confronted with the news that one of her children would encounter life-changing challenges, daily bloodsugar checks and insulin injections, and the prospect of deadly complications, my mother's tear-streaked face told me everything. 

Happy Holidays!  I hope this season reminds you of the non-monetary, ever-important gifts you've received.