Your Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak


At the funeral of a friend.


He referred to the dates on her tombstone


From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth


And spoke of the following date with tears,


But he said what mattered most of all


Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time


That she spent alive on earth


And now only those who loved her


Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,


The cars, the house, the cash,


What matters is how we live and love


And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;


Are there things you’d like to change?


For you never know how much time is left


That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough


To consider what’s true and real


And always try to understand


The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger


And show appreciation more


And love the people in our lives


Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect


And more often wear a smile,


Remembering that this special dash


Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read


With your life’s actions to rehash


Would you be proud of the things they say


About how you spent your dash?

By: Linda Ellis

It's been a long time since I have written anything here.  Life always seems to get in the way.  Then again that just seems to be an easy excuse... so maybe I will try to write more.  Some of you reading this may have read this poem before.  Some of you may not have.  It's really kind of a long story how I came to find it myself.  Long story short is I saw the last 4 lines as a tattoo on someone and was curious where they came from.  After some research I found this poem.  And well, I just love it!  Different things speak to different people and well this just spoke to me.  It made me instantly think about my dash thus far.  I thought about things that made me happy along with things I would change or do again if I could.  And I think as my dash continues it will be a constant reminder of things I would like to include or even continue in my dash.

I hope you like it as much as I do.  Maybe it will speak to you as it did to me.  Even if it doesn't I hope it makes you pause for just a second and maybe consider your dash.  Is there anything you would change?  Are you truly happy with your dash?  For like the poem says......

So when your eulogy is being read


With your life’s actions to rehash


Would you be proud of the things they say


About how you spent your dash?

It's Quitting Time.....

So this is a tough one for me.  I have been a smoker since I was about 18.  I will be turning 30 on April 14th of this year.  I can honestly say that I just came inside from having a smoke.  But I can also say that I hope that was my last.  As someone with an addictive personality quitting has been my nemesis for some time now.  As a human and especially as a type 1 diabetic I know the risks.  And there are many.  In my head all the warning bells and whistles were going off telling me I should quit.  Just stop.  But it's just not that easy.  Smoking became a part of my life.  It added structure to my day.  And it was addictive.

But enough is enough.  I think it's high time I quit.  I have been thinking about this for some time now.  but never put my thoughts into action.  Well the time for thinking is over.  It's time for action!  Both my mind and my body are telling me I'm ready.  That I can do this.  So for what I hope is the last time, I just butt out my last cigarette.  It's not gonna be easy.  I know for the next few days, weeks, maybe even months I may be the bitch from hell.  I apologize in advance.  I need to do this.  When I turn 30 in April I will be smoke free for 55 days.  At least this is my goal...

So fellow bloggers, cross your fingers for me!  This just may be the biggest challenge of my life.  But I'm ready to take it on.  And if I can do it then so can you.  Will keep you posted on my progress.  Till next time.

Proud to be Diabetic

Yes you read it right.  I'm proud to be a diabetic.  Some people may not understand that statement but if you are a fellow Slipstreamer I think you may have an idea.

I have just returned home from a weekend away in beautiful Haliburton at camp Wanakita with a bunch of type 1 diabetics like myself.  Surrounded by knowledge, inspiration, encouragement, accomplishment and an over whelming sense of belonging, I can think of only one word to describe the overall experience and that is ALIVE.  I had a chance to reconnect with old friends and share fond memories of times past and experiences shared.  I met and made new friends and talked about experiences yet to be had and shared amongst us.  We all shared in the good times and the bad times to be had living with diabetes.  There was laughter and there were tears.  But always an overall sense of understanding.  No judgement or criticism.  Just a nod of the head to say I get it or a helping hand to say I'm here for you.

From cross country skiing to snowshoeing.  Drumming and Diabetium, discussions and reflections.  The room was always buzzing with energy and a feeling of being alive.  I am now energized and ready for the year ahead and all that it may hold.  As I reflect on the years past I feel a sense of accomplishment both as an organization and as a person.  And as I think of the year ahead I can't wait to see what transpires and where life will lead me as I continue to ride in the slipstream.  But wherever it leads me I look forward to it's challenges and the fun that is to be had.

To all my fellow Slipstreamers, past, present and future, thank you for being my inspiration, my support and my friends.  You make me a better person and a proud diabetic and I can't wait to connect with you all again soon.

Till next time!

The First of Many

Let me start off by saying WELCOME!!!  Now let me explain the title of my blog.  I borrowed a song title from a favourite group of mine (Great Big Sea).  Music stirs up many emotions in me.  The good, the bad, the happy and the sad.  Some songs I can relate to and some I can't.  But all songs have a message that the artist would like to share with the world.  So through my blogs I'm gonna share my life stories.  The good, the bad, the happy and the sad.  Cause really, my life is nothing but a song.