Winding Down 2011

I cannot believe the date on the calendar, surely it is incorrect, it is December 29 already. It is time once again to pull out the new calendars,transfer birthdays and important dates from the old to the new, and add doctor appointments from cards I have been collecting in my desk for this occasion. I love the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. It is a time of reflection it seems like for everyone. We all long to be better, do better and look better in the new year. I am humbly reminded that even though I may set goals and make plans for the new year, unless God is in them, they will not matter in the long run, and probably will fizzle out in the short run. I am amazed at how God has brought our family through the 2011 year. The year that our youngest received the unexpected diagnosis of type 1 diabetic, along with a scary stay in the PICU, while his Dad was at annual training with the Army National Guard. We are 6 months into this new way of life, and I would like to say everything is sailing along smoothly, and in some ways things are much better, but in other ways not so much. There are still so many unknowns and uncertainties that this diagnosis brings. My husband and I are not scared any more about giving our son his 4-5 shots daily, and he has gotten used to pricking his fingers countless times during the day, although the last couple of days have been rough. His fingers have been hurting, and he doesn't want to check his blood sugar, but he has to, because we don't have any other way of knowing for sure what is going on inside of his body. It is a tough sell for a 9 year old boy. Also, I can tell you the carb count of countless foods, which has raised my own awareness of what I am eating. Siblings have learned to deal with a big intrusion to our family's way of life prior to diagnosis. It is still a process. Looking back at 2011, I can see it being woven into the tapestry of our family's life, and I know that God will use what can be seen as bad for His good. Strength, endurance and a new found compassion for families with children with chronic illness has stirred within me. I am looking forward to 2012 and a fresh start. As the last couple days of the year wind down, I am earnestly seeking God's plan for our family in 2012, moving forward in a hope that only He can provide. God and me in 2012,it has a nice ring to it.