I am often struck by other people.  Sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way, but overall, I really like learning and observing how other people “work.”

I had an appointment last week with an esthetician I have seen several times over the past two years.  We often talk about bootcamp or running or waking up early or whatever comes up.  Last week I went in wearing a tank top, since it was hot outside. 

She saw my CGM on my arm and asked me what it was.  (I do love that people feel free to ask me; I really see that as a compliment!)  I told her, thinking we must have discussed my pump over the course of our relationship.

She started at me, her eyes big as saucers.

“Do you have type one diabetes?!”

“Yeah; I thought you knew!”

Okay.  Now.  How many people who don’t have diabetes know that there are two types of diabetes and know how to differentiate between the two? 

It turns out, her best friend was just diagnosed with type one three weeks ago.  My esthetician proceeded to ask me a zillion questions and not one of them was dumb.  She had done some serious homework.

It made me so happy.  What a wonderful friend!!

I’ve had several people tell me they know someone with diabetes (either type) but don’t know what some of the ins and outs are with living with the disease.  It made me remember the lady at Intuit who was excited to hear me say “Diabetes Outside” and had several questions for me about how she could best support the people she cares about. 

How fantastic is that; really.

For those of you with diabetes, take a second and think about the people in your life who have cared enough about you to learn what it is like to have diabetes.  Of course they can’t really ever KNOW, but it says something very powerful about YOU that they cared enough to learn what they’ve learned. 

Can you tell them a number and they know what it means?  (If you say 250+ do they run for sugar or do they know “low” is the magic word?)  Do they keep eye contact with you as you check your blood sugar or do they glance nervously at your fingers?  Do they suggest eating nuts when you say you need sugar?

For those of you who don’t have diabetes, I want to say thank you.  Thank you for recognizing that diabetes takes a lot of learning and a lot of guessing and a lot of trial and error. 

It means we aren’t as alone as we sometimes feel.  If that doesn’t show caring, I don’t know what does.