Thankful.

It only seems fitting that I post about being thankful as Thanksgiving is just a few days away. I am thankful for many things and shockingly I'm thankful for diabetes and hemophilia. I know...it sounds crazy but let me clarify. I would hand both away in a heartbeat but since I can't I choose to be thankful for the closeness and opportunities it has given our family.

I'm thankful for a spouse who is my teammate. We tackle challenges together. We build each other up and encourage one another. Showing a united front helps our kids see that we strong and ready for whatever comes our way.We are by no means the Cleaver family but we have a closeness that goes beyond. We rally and support each other when one is down or struggling. We cheer each other when milestones or accomplishments are achieved. We fight for us. We are passionate in what we do; no matter the cause.

I'm thankful that my kids are aware of their health and how they feel. The girls know when blood sugars aren't in range and Jackson knows when he is having a bleed. Being able to act quickly in both cases is key to either chronic illness.

I'm thankful for the amazing places we have been able to attend from conferences, to advocating in DC and even ring in the opening bell for NASDAQ (will blog about that on another post). We have met some incredibly inspiring people, families and a community of like minded people. To be able to find someone who goes through the same things your kids go through or can understand why you look like death warmed over after a rough night of blood sugar checks or why you are angry when insurance doesn't want to cover medicine or dictates what they want you to use.

They've been there.

They've done that.

It's easy to wallow in the "why us" and sometimes I do but I choose to accept what's been given to us and make the most of it. So if you are reading this chances are we are family. No, not family by blood necessarily but family by community and for you I am thankful. May your Thanksgiving be in range and bleed free!