Happy World Diabetes Day everyone. I would have gotten you all a card, but my local Hallmark had none left.

It's fitting for us that diabetes awareness and World Diabetes Day falls in November - the month of Charlie's diagnosis.

We worry about Charlie every day. We worry about his present and we worry about his future. We worry when he's out of our sight and we worry when he's sitting on our laps. We worry that he'll be the last one picked. We worry about him feeling alone. Being alone. Asleep, awake, happy, sad, silly, angry - we worry. (READ MORE)

N and M

I am on the floor of my brother's living room. My three year old nephew in my lap. He is reading to me about elephants and tigers, complete with animal sound effects. His body presses against my insulin pump, which in turn presses against my hip. I had almost forgotten that diabetes sits with me, even in these gorgeous, irreplacable moments. An unwelcome resident of my body, my mind, and my heart.

A little later, my nephew comes out of his bedroom and stands in the middle of the kitchen. He has a block tucked into the waistband of his pants. He pulls it out and starts pushing imaginary buttons.

I ask "What are you doing, Milton?"

"Giving my medicine, like Aunty Coley," he responds. (READ MORE)

Someone asked me a few weeks ago how my type 2 diagnosis affected my family. Honestly, I said, not very much. And I'm not sure if that's good or bad or a mix of both.

For one thing, I've always been the meal planner, grocery shopper, chef and chief bottle washer in our family. Furthermore, I always cooked fairly healthy for my family, tried to get a good mix of meats, veggies, starches and fruits. So adjusting our meal plan really didn't take much effort. (I know, you're wondering how I got to be so overweight if I cooked so healthy. Sweets have always been a big part of my life. The weight comes from not sharing, essentially. And I like to eat. A lot. And all the time.) (READ MORE)

All Posters

This is World Diabetes Day, the first annual, and the international community is embracing its message by flying high the striking blue symbol of the disease. The message is about waking up the world to the growing impact of diabetes on our young and old- this year's theme focusing on children and adolescents. The innocent faces of the disease give a hammering reminder of what we are striving for, worldwide awareness, more scientific breakthroughs, and a much needed cure. (READ MORE)