Diabetes sucks. Not in the teenage malaise “this sucks - let’s get outta here” kind of way. I mean more like a day to day to-do list of not-so-pleasant chores staring back at you from your refrigerator door:

test blood sugar

cook healthy food

eat healthy food

take medication

exercise

test blood sugar

repeat forever

But don’t let my whining fool you. I also have so much to thank diabetes for.

Diabetes gave me the opportunity to take back my life (which was mired in toddlers at the time).

It gave me permission to put myself first and to tackle all my health issues head on.

It opened the door to alternative health and overall wellness.

It gave me the kick in the pants to lose 30 pounds and drop 4 sizes.

It gave me the impetus to experiment with lower carb cooking.

Diabetes gave me back me, for which I am eternally grateful.

Every time I purchase “sensitive eyes” saline solution I wonder, who among us has “insensitive eyes?”

Today is my last day of freedom.  I am a condemned mom.

Today I enjoyed my last walk with the school moms, my last chatty cup of coffee and my last solitary (blissful) trip to the library.

I revelled in my aloneness in the car listening to a CD of my own choosing. I strolled through the chocolate shop to buy some last minute gifts and to get myself some comforting nsa Belgian chocolates to buoy my spirits during the eternal summer.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the maltitol seconds (the firsts are outrageously expensive).

I even bought myself an nsa dark chocolate plaque that says “thank you” so I can thank myself when no one else will.

Yes, today is my last day of freedom. Summer holidays begin tomorrow.