Kimji

It was a birthday party on Saturday. My wife, kids, and I all trekked up to her Aunt's house for an afternoon of family fun.

I must tell you that I am very lucky because my wife's family is pretty cool. We always have a good time together and when we left this particular party my son made it a point to say, "I could stay there all night. I have a lot of fun with all of them." They really are great people.

But even great people need some education now and then and I was just the guy to school them. After a lovely dinner it was time to cut the cake. The candles were lit and that famous song was sung. Surprisingly there were no "Cha Cha Cha's" to be heard. Afterwards the cake cutting and serving began. But before that, someone yelled from the kitchen, "We also have a Sugar Free Jello dessert if anyone wants some."

Funny but I swear I heard that announcement aimed at the back of my head. I went into the kitchen to scope out the Jello thing since I am not a total Jello hater. As I looked into the bowl I saw slices of bananas suspended in this strange green gelatin atmosphere. It was almost creepy looking. Jello, I dig but fruit in Jello is not my thing at all!

When I looked over at the perfect, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, cake on the other counter my decision was made. I would fire in some extra carbs into the old insulin pump and enjoy a slice of cakey goodness.

"George, do you want me to serve you some Jello?"

"Um, no thanks I am going to have some cake."

"Oh I thought you couldn't eat that stuff. Aren't you diabetic?"

Now, there are two ways to go here. I knew that they made this dessert with me in mind and I did appreciate it. I knew I had to take this opportunity to educate so I said. "Well actually, I can eat that stuff and I do have diabetes. It's a common misconception. People think that diabetics cannot have sugar and that is not the case. I can eat everything you can, I just have to manually give myself the insulin that your body gives you automatically."

My wife's aunt was really interested and wanted to see my pump and how it worked. She thought it was cool to see that people with diabetes can live like anyone. She thought it was an artificially sweet world for us but I assured her that that is not the case. I also explained how insulin allows for a little more freedom in the sweets department.

Sure I should not sit down with Dolly Madison and Betty Crocker for a chow fest but I should not get stuck with Sugar Free Jello Surprise every time there's a celebration either.