When I was pregnant with No. 2 in 2002 I worked for the worst boss I have ever had. I knew there was a reason I worked at that company and for that person -- although I was hard-pressed at the time to actually come up with that reason.

Six years later, I know I wouldn't be where I am without the experience from that job. The jobs I've accepted and created since working at that place I likely wouldn't have been as good at without that nasty, 14-month hell of a job.

While you won't often hear me admit this, that job helped shape who I am. Just as diabetes shapes who I am. This article from Diabetes Health about a family with three of the nine children living with type 1 made me wonder who I would be without diabetes. The mother/author talked about the silver lining of the multiple diagnoses. Her children have set their sights on careers in the medical field: one works in a pharmacy, one wants to become a pediatric endocrinologist, and one wants to be a research scientist who works on finding a cure for diabetes.  

Where would I be without diabetes? On a personal development note, I wouldn't be writing as much as I am now. Writing is one of my passions, yet I have trouble finding time to do it unless I have an outlet. I certainly wouldn't be as conscious about what I eat and how often I exercise. And I wouldn't be able to counsel my grandmother, father and others about diabetes.

I don't wish this disease on anyone. But give me your silver lining. Tell me where you'd be without it.