My friend loves to fish.  His poor eyesight does not prevent him from baiting his hook and casting the line into the water.  The love of fishing often lures him to local fishing holes, a well-stocked lake 2 hours away and on a 2 week fishing trip in Canada.  Often my friend and his buddies will freeze what they catch until they have enough for a charity fish fry at our church.  They may serve 75 or more people at these events.  Now, that’s a lot of fish to fry!  And I can attest that in addition to being good fishermen they are great cooks.  Our church family looks forward to these events. 

He also likes to hike – not just a mile or two, but up to 8 miles or more in one day.  What a remarkable feat since he has severe neuropathy.  My friend belongs to a hiking club, and he tells us funny things that happen on these hikes – like Mike sitting down in poison ivy.  Or a bear cub darting across their path causing all of them to jump from the trail into the brush, hearting pounding.  During the fall, he likes to hike at least once a week.  How does he manage these hikes even though he has almost no feeling in his feet?  “I just watch where I place my feet,” he says.

Hiking and fishing are just two of my friend’s activities. He spends much of his free time helping others.  He works in our church’s Christian Service Center, filling boxes with food and then carrying them out to a client’s car.  He and his wife will drive others in need of a ride to their doctor appointments or to the grocery store.  Whatever the task, he is willing to help in any way he can.

We have been friends for the last 10 years and it has only been in the last 3 years that I have known he has diabetes.  It is not something he talks about.  My friend is not ashamed of having diabetes.  He just refuses to use it as an excuse to not do something.  He told me that when he was diagnosed as a young man, he decided that he would live an active life and manage his diabetes and that is exactly what he is doing.

 I admire his can do attitude and his active lifestyle.  My friend inspires me to stay focused on managing my diabetes well, reducing my risk of complications.  His example challenges me to be physically active, to enjoy life, and to help others along the way.  I am thankful for his friendship and his positive example.

May you have such inspiration in your life or better yet, you be the inspiration to others.