I really feel speechless. I’m not quite sure how to express all of the gratitude in my heart for all of the support I got for the Walk today. For each of you that donated, please know you hold a dear piece of my heart and words will never suffice in how thankful and blessed I feel.
I arrived early to the Walk to set up my table to promote my research and was given SO MUCH GRACE! It was a terribly windy morning and the coordinator was so wonderful to plan out that my table would be right after the advocacy table. However, it was right in the war path, so I ended up moving closer to the stadium we were at. With the help of multiple staff and volunteers, I finally got all of my stuff set up!
Advertising and the walk went really well and it eventually warmed up for this Southern girl, but what I want to focus on is a little deeper than a couple of miles.
I’ve spent the last 6 years trying to make sure no one around me knew I was diabetic unless I had to. So I was really branching out in college to do research and promote a disease I didn’t want. And since then, I’ve been more vocal about my struggles. I’m more open about what it’s really like because people should know. But I NEVER want sympathy. I’m independent and am a great diabetic, I don’t want people feeling obligated to help me or try to understand what my life is like.
But for my friends to wake up early on a Saturday, a cold and windy Saturday at that, to walk with me just because they know it’s important to me. I really am tearing up writing this. I’m so touched and feel so loved.
It’s like the same realization that God doesn’t leave when bad things happen, He’s there for the whole journey. I took this gesture as my friends telling me that no, they don’t get it, but they’re with me. Walking this journey of life with me. I to feel like you’re not alone is SO. POWERFUL.
So today was the best day. To own my life and to walk through it with some of my best friends. I’m just speechless. From the very bottom of my heart, thank you , thank you, thank you.
All my love,
HP