A quick note from Gary…Please Pass the Popcorn

I have two favorite Holiday movies.  It’s A Wonderful Life… and Die Hard.  I know.  They don’t exactly spawn from the same movie genre.  One is a sappy black & white classic, the other a shoot-em-up action flick.  But they both bring out the best of the Holiday spirit and teach us some valuable lessons that can be applied to living with diabetes.

Let’s start with Frank Capra’s film from the 1940s.  Jimmy Stewart’s character learns in a most unusual way that the world is a much better place because of him. Despite temporary setbacks, he really does make a difference in the lives of those around him (and those around those around him, and so on).  It’s so easy to get discouraged when things aren’t going our way. But no unexpected lab results, misplaced anger during a run of high readings or disappointing news during an annual exam can come close to matching all the good work we do for ourselves and others throughout the year.

Die Hard boasts its share of amusing one-liners juxtaposed with powerful suspense.  Bruce Willis’s character survives an onslaught of deadly challenges to save the day and win back the love of his life.  And none of it would have been possible without a little bit of stubbornness and a lot of persistence.  It takes guts to get up every day and take on diabetes, especially knowing that there will be setbacks.  That’s what makes people with diabetes such a tough breed.

It is my Holiday wish that you can find time to enjoy a favorite movie with those you love. Make some popcorn on the stovetop, throw a few logs in the fireplace, and escape for a few hours. After all the good things you’ve done this year and all the stick-to-it-iveness you’ve shown, you deserve it.

As always, I hope you enjoy this edition of Diabetes Bites.  If there is anything we can do to help make living with diabetes just a little bit easier and a little bit better, please reach out.  Together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

Happy Holidays!

– Gary

Gary Scheiner MS, CDE
Owner & Clinical Director