Turning Four.
Today Six Until Me turns four years old.
(Are "blog years" like dog years? One year equals about seven in the real world? Because four years blogging seems like an eternity. The day I started this seems like a really long time ago, back when I was new to my relationship with Chris, feeling alone with diabetes, and Siah didn't even exist. But now I'm married to Chris, part of an enormously influential community of people with diabetes, and Siah is turning four, too. Stupid cat. Whoops, digression.)
I thought I'd have something profound to say on my fourth blogging anniversary, but I just feel grateful for the opportunities I've had to get to know you guys and to share my diabetes experiences to a group of people who really understand.
Last night, Chris and I had dinner with Caroline and her boyfriend Ian. And even though Caroline and I know one another through this blogging community and we share the same disease, we didn't spend the whole night comparing notes on diabetes. We talked about politics, health care, compared American and English stereotypes (thanks to Chris, who kept bringing up every typically British thing he could think of - on purpose - just to be goofy), and discussed the likelihood of cats as headgear (don't ask).
I liked hearing Chris talk to Ian about what it's like to be the partner of a diabetic. I know we have a solid network of people who have diabetes, but there's a special crew of caregivers - the ones who love us and spend their lives with us - who have their own set of emotions. Chris doesn't ever talk about diabetes as a burden and he's very supportive, but he does acknowledge that trekking for juice in the middle of the night is a unique relationship situation. ;) It was nice to see another partner of a PWD showing the same level of love, compassion, and gentle understanding, and seeing the laughter Ian and Chris shared when Caroline and I admitted to possibly being a bit ... spikey during blood sugar issues. (Me? Emotional and outburst-y? Never!)
It was a lovely night and we ended up staying at the table until just a few minutes before our train was due to leave. We snapped a quick picture in the subway tunnels of Grand Central (not the nicest backdrop, but we did what we could) and then Chris and I booked for our train.
"I like them. They're really nice," I said as we settled into our seats for the ride home.
"Me, too. Definitely," said Chris.
Four years from now, who knows where we'll all be. But for this moment, I'm happy to be here. Thanks for reading, and for being part of my diabetes care network. It's made such a difference, and I'm better for it.
Comments
Congratulations!
Posted by: rlbates | May 4, 2009 09:54 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Doctor Anonymous | May 4, 2009 09:58 AM
Congratulations & Happy Blogiversary, Kerri :)
Posted by: Vijay | May 4, 2009 09:59 AM
I'm glad you're here. :) If you hadn't started blogging, I might have never found the D-OC! And then I'd be very alone in my diabetes too.
Posted by: Cara | May 4, 2009 10:05 AM
Yaaaaay! Haapy 4th Birthday SUM! =)
Posted by: Windy | May 4, 2009 10:06 AM
Congratulations Kerri! You are correct in saying "It's made such a difference, and I'm better for it." Those are words that I could have said about SUM having been a reader for a year plus. Thank you!
Posted by: Scott | May 4, 2009 10:17 AM
Personally speaking, I've gained a lot from my short time in the DOC. This blog has had a lot to do with that.
Well done.
Posted by: Chris | May 4, 2009 10:24 AM
Happy Anniversary!
This made me choke up a bit...thinking of how my hubby has been by my side riding the D roller coaster with me for 12yrs now...they are indeed a very "special crew of caregivers"! Each year we are together I appreciate it more...the special man it takes to put up with me...lol
Posted by: JaimieH | May 4, 2009 10:26 AM
Happy Blogabirfday Kerri!
And I'm just thrilled that you got to meet Caro and Ian - very neat!
Posted by: Scott K. Johnson | May 4, 2009 10:34 AM
Thanks, you guys!
And Scott, I'm still laughing at "blogabirfday." Best word ever. :)
Posted by: Kerri. | May 4, 2009 10:56 AM
happy blog birthday to youuu!
(and yay for meeting C!)
Posted by: Rachel | May 4, 2009 11:03 AM
Happy 4th Kerri. The OC would not be the same without you. :)
Posted by: SuperG | May 4, 2009 11:09 AM
Happy Birthday, SUM! And congrats on so much success and on encouraging so many of us on this crazy d-roller coaster. We're lucky to have found you and SUM!
Posted by: Lindsay | May 4, 2009 11:09 AM
Kerri,
Thank you for the blog! It has made a huge difference in my life too, to know I'm not alone in this. Ditto to what Cara said.
And also, sometimes, you're able to put into words what I'm not quite able to say. And that has helped me explain myself to friends.
So thanks!
Posted by: 'Chelle | May 4, 2009 12:11 PM
Kerri,
Thank you for the blog! It has made a huge difference in my life too, to know I'm not alone in this. Ditto to what Cara said.
And also, sometimes, you're able to put into words what I'm not quite able to say. And that has helped me explain myself to friends.
So thanks!
Posted by: 'Chelle | May 4, 2009 12:14 PM
Congrats, Happy 4th!
The DOC would be lost without you!
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: CALpumper | May 4, 2009 12:15 PM
Congrats Kerri!
Posted by: Tim McClintock | May 4, 2009 12:57 PM
Happy Blogaversary, Kerri! My blog will be turning 4 in July and I too cannot believe how much longer it feels. I feel like a completely different person, what with the graduating college, job, NYC, boyfriend bit!
I'm also having dinner with Caroline and Ian tonight with Erik and I'm so excited! Isn't she the nicest? And that accent! I had dinner w/ her in England last fall and I was like "Keep talking!"
Posted by: Allison Blass | May 4, 2009 01:00 PM
Thank You for blogging Kerri. You give me such hope as a parent of a 6 year old little girl with Type 1 - hope for her future, hope for her happiness as she grows old with Type 1. Thank you for blogging.
Posted by: Penny Starr-Ashton | May 4, 2009 01:40 PM
Thank You for blogging Kerri. You give me such hope as a parent of a 6 year old little girl with Type 1 - hope for her future, hope for her happiness as she grows old with Type 1. Thank you for blogging.
Posted by: Penny | May 4, 2009 01:41 PM
Thank you for writing this blog Kerri :)
Posted by: nikki | May 4, 2009 02:17 PM
Happy 4th (or is it 28th) blogiversary to you!!!!
Posted by: Karen | May 4, 2009 04:16 PM
I was going to make a comment along the lines of that just being some crazy lady you met on the subway in the photo. Then I read the rest of what you wrote and knew I couldn't do that! Thanks for thinking we're nice, as opposed to the crazy I think that people usually think we are!
To prove to everyone else we didn't talk about diabetes and blogs all night, you never mentioned your 4 year anniversary. Congratulations! That's a lot of blogging, but I hope you carry on for at least 4 more years.... and then some more.
Posted by: Caroline (and Ian!) | May 4, 2009 05:37 PM
Oh, and about "sharing the same disease". Wouldn't it be cool if we could actually just share the one diabetes. We could just have it for 6 months of the year each. Bags I get February!
Posted by: Caroline (and Ian!) | May 4, 2009 05:40 PM
Happy umm, day Kerri! Thank you so much for doing this for so long. You make life a lot easier for all of us by making us feel like we're not alone, even if we're not creative enough to write about it every day (or, in my case...ever). Thanks for bringing us along for the ride, and good luck for the future!
Posted by: Harry | May 4, 2009 06:03 PM
You give me hope. And that means more to me than what doctors can tell me.
Posted by: Another Mom | May 4, 2009 07:16 PM
I've been reading since 2006 and have never commented before, but I wanted to congratulate you on four years of inspiration. But you have inspired far beyond just blogging. You have three decades of happiness under your belt and that makes us, the parents of children with diabetes, so grateful. We know that our kids will be okay.
Thank you for everything you do. I'd be lost without your insights.
Posted by: Meredith J. | May 4, 2009 08:02 PM
Happy Blog B'day!
I found your blog when I was new to this disease, and I thank you for making the transition a little easier.
Posted by: Mandy | May 4, 2009 08:39 PM
Congrats on #4! :)
Posted by: Lee Ann Thill | May 4, 2009 10:44 PM
bloggin...
ur doin it right
Posted by: glucoholic | May 4, 2009 10:53 PM
Thank you for blogging. For being able to put into words what I have always wanted to.
Posted by: Jessica | May 4, 2009 11:31 PM
Thank you for giving us these glimpses into the past four years.
Posted by: Mark | May 4, 2009 11:57 PM
Yes, Kerri, thank you for doing what you do and doing it so darn well. I want to echo what Meredith said... you really do help to reassure us Moms that our kids will be ok. ((Hugs))
Posted by: sherry | May 5, 2009 12:00 AM
Happy Birthday, sixuntilme! I love your blog. If I could, I would get it a present! What do 4 year old blogs like?! Seriously, Kerri, so glad I found your blog in the blogosphere! It's like a good friend--inspirational, comforting and delivers a great punchline!
Posted by: Nan | May 5, 2009 12:27 AM
Happy 4th!!!! You are a great blogger, funny, honest and there's never a dull moment! Keep blogging and inspiring your readers about life with the D.
Posted by: Cherise | May 5, 2009 01:03 AM
Wow, four years is really impressive. Congrats!
And thanks for all the laughs, the inspiration and the information that has made SUM the awesome site it is. :-)
Looking forward to your next four years!
Posted by: Karpoozi | May 5, 2009 01:07 AM
Congrats!! I just want to let you know you and your SUM pages has really helped me get thru some rough times. I can't thank you enough, and keep up the good work,Chris is lucky to have you... and You are lucky to have too.him..
I am an everyday reader
Posted by: Larry K. | May 5, 2009 08:11 AM
Congrats! (a day late)
What flavor cake goes with a blogiversary?
Posted by: Sara | May 5, 2009 09:46 AM
Congrats Kerri on 4 years! How could I not have found you sooner?? You do a remarkable job so please keep it up :)
Posted by: Stacey Divone | May 5, 2009 09:59 AM