A diabetic amongst the butterflies

So today Emma and I went to the butterfly conservatory for a little outing. I love that place! In fact i think I have actually blogged about it before. However, this time rather than write about the actual experience there...I wanted to share something interesting and diabetes related about our visit.
A couple of years ago Emma's class went on a field trip there and while we were sitting there listening to the tour guide talk with the kids, I noticed that she was wearing a pump herself! I pointed it out to Emma because this was still during the time that Emma was anti-pump all the way and I wanted her to see it up close if possible. I remember feeling that old familiar bonded feeling while talking with the guide. It was one of those random moments that seem to occur every now and again to remind you that you are not alone in this. Well, ever since that particular visit we had never run into this particular guide again....until today that is!
Emma and I were walking along the beautiful pathway spotting butterflies all over the place and laughing at the tiny little birds flying by and landing in front of us. As Emma was checking out a display for the kids to touch showing them what a chrysallis and cocoon looks like, I glanced up and my eyes were instantly drawn to the pocket of this woman's workpants. I saw a pump tube coming out of it. I immediately grabbed Emma and pointed in the guide's direction to show her that she was working there today and I swear you would have thought that we had seen the most amazingly beautiful butterfly in the room....instead of just a regular old pump tube. The guide was busy talking with another group of kids, but she noticed our excitement and kind of shook her pump tube at us and gave us a smile and a nod.
We left the conservatory this afternoon talking about it and how fun it is to randomly meet up with other diabetics while out in public. It's sort of like a secret club really. It got me thinking, we all are so busy rushing around during the day doing our everyday things...running errands, taking the kids here there and everywhere...without a second thought as to who is around us usually. We stand in lines at the grocery store with tons of other people around...and we assume that we are the only diabetics in the bunch (I suppose I shouldn't generalize and say "we"....it's more like "I" assume this). I think I am so pre-programmed into thinking that we are the only ones out there...mainly because in my day to day life, of the people we associate with the most in person...we ARE the only diabetics in the bunch. It can be an extremely lonely feeling if I think about it too much actually. Sure I have other D-Mom friends in town and on the computer....but as far as everyday living goes?.....it's just us.
I have met a few diabetics out there in the great big world over the years. One woman I chased down at Walmart actually because I spotted her pump on her belt as we crossed paths. I didn't have anything in particular to say to her....just "Hi, i saw your pump. My daughter has one too!" I met a diabetic Mom (not a D-Mom....lol...an actual diabetic woman who is a Mom) at the park once. I saw her pull her pump off her belt and stand there bolusing herself while pushing her daughter on a swing. Naturally I had to say hello to her as well. Then today with the tour guide...I wasn't able to say hi because she was busy working....but we gave the smile and knowing nod right back at her. It feels good. It's comforting to know that just like us....there are countless other diabetics walking around in public...shopping, standing in lines, waiting at stop lights, eating at McDonald's,...and teaching people about the beauty of butterflies.
For as much as I loathe diabetes and what it does to us......I love being part of this club...part of this family...part of this amazing group of people out there doing the exact same things we all do...and living life to the fullest.