I spent Sunday evening with the people closest to me in all the world. My entire family (at least the ones in Texas) and my two closest friends came together to celebrate my college graduation with a splendid meal and some excellent stories. I wish that it could have lasted forever.

It is so rare that all my family is together in that way. My immediate family generally spends Christmas and other major holidays together, but it's very rare to see both sides of my family together in one room celebrating. Schedules conflict, life gets in the way, and it just doesn't happen in this day and age.

So last night was absolutely, supremely amazing for me. Not only because we were celebrating something so huge in my life, but because it delights me to see all my family and my two closest friends together. Laughing, telling stories, having fun, and enjoying time together.

As part of my graduation celebration, I sent a notebook around for everyone to write stories or pieces of advice to me. I had no idea what my family might have to say, but the words that are in that book are more priceless and precious to me than anything else in this world right now.

Hints of moments spent with just me and my cousin laughing about silly things. Stories about my childhood that I can't even recall, but my family tells hysterically. Well wishes that mean the world to me because they come from the people who love me and know me and keep on loving me.

The first page of this journal includes a note from my uncle. He's a hilarious guy with an amazing heart. A truly loving man who has the faith of one thousand men. You would expect that his note would be some hilarious story about my childhood. Instead, it's a recollection of the resiliency that I had as a little girl. It's the memories of watching a little girl fight a chronic illness and seeing her strength and beauty continue to grow through it.

It isn't the type of story that most people want to hear. It's a sad situation to recall a four year old's diabetes diagnosis. But oddly, it's exactly the type of thing that goes perfectly with my college graduation. It's the motivation for who I am today and who I want to become in the future.

Since I've graduated with my undergraduate degree, I've already faced some challenges in the job world that led me to a graduate school application. I have yet to be accepted, although I have faith that I will be. With a master's degree, my plan is to put that four year old's strength to use through counseling.

I have known from a young age that there was a purpose to my diabetes as well as my other health conditions from the past four years. After seventeen years of diabetes, I've already seen that purpose come to life. I spent two years with other diabetics on my college campus listening to their heart broken stories, fundraising for a cure, and just having fun with people who understood. I love the feeling that I get when I help a diabetic, when I inspire them to get back into control, or when I just offer a shoulder to lean on when things are rough.

I know that diabetes has changed me, for better and worse. I also know that it will continue to change me as I begin new portions of my life and face new challenges. I'm excited for those changes. I desperately hope that my graduate career works out and that counseling diabetic patients (as well as other chronically ill patients) is in my future. I feel the pull towards that. And my uncle's words reaffirm that calling.