Guest post from Chris

I wanted to share something that my friend, Chris- wrote to me a couple of weeks ago. I asked him if he would write me something for my blog as a sort of, "guest post" and here is what he came up with. It's probably one of the most heartfelt things any of my friends have ever said to me- it makes me happy to know I have a friend like Chris. We've only known each other just over two years but I can safely say that he is one of my guy-best friends. As you can tell, I have educated him well on diabetes. He has always been interested about it and wanted to learn more for his, and for my sake and for that I will be forever grateful. I'm so glad to have a friend like him.

Thanks Chris!

I haven't known you for a huge amount of time, but we first met, properly on December 3rd 2011 which makes it about 714 days I think. I still remember, really well, when you told me you have diabetes and you were so careful about it. You acted as if I was going to run away and never speak to you again which is just crazy! From then on we started talking about diabetes and jut generally about you. I used to come up with these random pieces of information (If you can even call them that) about diabetes and then you would politely tell me jut how wrong Ii was, even though it was probably killing you inside that I'm so dumb. But yeah, you're probably going to want to fry me because of what I'm going to say, but I used to think that Type 1 and Type 2 were the same but Type 1 diabetics only went high and Type 2 diabetic only went low...Yeah, I was an idiot!

It's actually ridiculous how little people know about diabetes. Almost everybody knows at least something about cancer or some other diseases and illnesses, but so many people know nothing or are completely misinformed about diabetes- which is even worse because it is such a dangerous and common disease. All it takes is one parent who knows nothing about the symptoms of diabetes and then there's another child stuck in A&E because there is so little 'in-your-face' information about it. But anyway, back to you! After like three or four months you had crawled your way up my rankings and now you're one of my best friends and easily my girl best-friend. I can talk to you about anything and literally cannot imagine not knowing you...I like to think that I at least know more than the average person does about diabetes or at the very least I know about the informational side of it. I'm probably never going to know about the mental or emotional side of it and I hope I never will. 

You talk to me about, and occasionally I see the thing that you do day in and day out and I don't think I could ever do that. I admire you, and though I hate to admit it (:P) I look up to how you can be so mature and adult about it all and not just go crazy. The other day, especially I was sitting on the bus thinking about school and how overloaded with work I was, then you came into my head and it jut seemed impossible- like, the masses of work you must get and then the addition of possible crazy blood sugars interrupting you every time you start working. Just, how?!

Obviously, you're not the only person in the world who deals with this but you're the only person Ii know and you're the best! The sad part of all of this is the frustration that comes with being friends with you. The fact that I want to take all of the stress and pressure diabetes causes you even if it's just for an hour, but knowing that no matter what I try that won't be possible. From a non-diabetic's point of view this is one of the worst things. At least everyone knows of a diabetic, whether it be a good friend, a parent, or a child- this must be how they feel to know that someone they love is, not necessarily in trouble but going in and out of hard times and being unable to help, where all you can do is sit by and say "It will get better" and "You're doing great" Etc; despite the fact that it's impossible to empathize. 

You know I hate being serious and if it were up to me I'd live in a dream land where I can joke about all the time because there would be no serious matters to deal with. Anway, FUTURE TIMES. I really want to know you forever, and ever, you've become one of my best friends in like, a year. I'm even better friends with you that some people that I've known for like 12 years. I feel like I can talk to you about pretty much anything. I actually got proper worried every time (Only three times, thrice?) that you've gone into hospital because I just have no clue whether you're okay, or if, this is the depressing bit, the last time I spoke to you will be the last time I ever get to talk to you. I genuinely want to be friends with you forever, and not if, but WHEN they find a cure whether that's next year or on your 101st birthday I want to be there with you because I can imagine how happy you will be...I just had a vision of a 101 year old you skipping and laughing down the road with a party hat on your head! I genuinely don't know what my life would be like if I had never met you. 

Love ya Ellie!<3