Everyone Deserves To Love and Be Loved

Last night, after a wonderful Mother's Day, Jeff told me he had a story to tell me about something Jessica said. We often share stories about the things she says because she comes out with the most clever, funniest stuff.

When he saw my face light up in anticipation of hearing it, he warned me that it was not a good story.

He told me that the other night he and the kids were finishing dinner at the kitchen table and he doesn't recall the originating part of the conversation, but Jessica told Brendon he couldn't get married because he has diabetes.

Brendon got upset and started crying. Jeff explained to her that it was a mean thing to say. He explained to her that even though he has diabetes, he can still do all the things that she can do (just short of giving birth).

Jeff then reassured Brendon that someday he'll find someone who he'll love and who will love him and that they can get married and have babies.

Jessica started crying when she saw how upset she made Brendon and apologized for making him cry.

Keep in mind that these children are 7 and 5 years old. Even the youngest children want to have the hope of having a loving relationship to share with someone when they're older.

This morning, when I asked Jessica why she thought Brendon couldn't get married, she said she heard me say it when I was on the phone with daddy.

What she overheard was a conversation I had with Jeff about an OC blog post I read where I was relating to him what was written. There was a certain statement made about diabetics that stung me even though I'm not diabetic. It stung me as a mother because of the thought that someone believes no one should want to share a life with someone who has diabetes. The thought that Brendon should be purposely deprived of love because of a flaw in his body broke my heart.

But, this isn't a post about the post I read, or what someone else believes.

This is a post about people who have diabetes, and how this insidious disease may affect their personality momentarily during a treatable high or low, but it never affects their soul and their basic human need and right to love and be loved.

A person can have food, water, and shelter, but if they don't have love, they will waste away to nothing but a living, breathing shell.

Afterall, love is what makes the world go 'round.