A Personal Day
Today
I am taking a personal day, not a day off from the office as I suppose is the
context for most people, but a day to reflect on the passing of someone who
will always have a special place in my heart.
My nephew, Michael “Miggs” Daly passed away on October 10, 2010. He died in his sleep, at 35, in his own bed,
unexpectedly, from complications of diabetes.
Complications of diabetes---words that are more and more familiar to all
of us as the diabetes epidemic spreads across America.
Michael
was diagnosed at the age of 8 with juvenile diabetes, also referred to as diabetes
I. Although the cause of juvenile
diabetes may not be the same as adult onset diabetes more commonly referred to
as diabetes II, the symptoms, management and outcome may be the same depending
on severity. However, there is one BIG
difference between the two, that is---diabetes II is self-inflicted and,
therefore, is 100% preventable. We Americans inflict this on ourselves by gorging
on soda, sweet tea, beef, pasta, bread, and baked goods, and feeding our
addiction to added sugar and refined grains.
Eliminate these foods from the diet and we eliminate the words, complications of diabetes II.
I
think of Michael every day at least once, but with the approach of Fall, he is
on my mind more so not only because it
was in the Fall that this tragedy occurred, but also, because of the upcoming annual
event to take place this September 30 in his honor. Michael’s Walk is his mother’s way of
honoring her son’s battle and to help raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The second
annual walk and timed run begins at Harvey’s Beach in Old Saybrook, CT, Michael’s
favorite place to be. You can join
Michael’s family and friends in the 5K memorial run/walk along the Connecticut
shore or you can donate in his memory by going to
Michael Daly 5k Memorial Run/Walk
Michael is remembered and loved by a great many people. This letter, written by a special friend at the time of his passing, speaks for us all.
Letter to Michael’s Family and Friends
When I was 12, I
had a friend named Michael, who saw my teenage insecurities. He went out of his way to include me in his
circle of friends with his easy smile and sweet words of encouragement. We were friends at the beach in a town named
Old Saybrook. I felt safe.
When I was 18, I
had a friend named Michael who visited me, frightened and alone in Boston, my
first time far away from the beach in a town named Old Saybrook. But he was there with his easy smile and
sweet words of encouragement. I felt
safe.
When I was 25,
married with kids of my own, I had a friend named Michael who gave me strength
and made me laugh with his easy smile and sweet words of encouragement in a
surgical suite in a hospital far away from the beach in a town named Old
Saybrook. I felt safe.
Now, I have only the
memories of my friend, Michael, with his easy smile and sweet words of
encouragement. Alone, for the first
time, I walked to the beach in a town named Old Saybrook where my world no
longer felt safe. But, with an easy
smile and sweet words of encouragement, I prayed for Michael, that he did. (Letter
from Michael’s friend, Christi Moutinho Holmes on Michael’s passing)
My nephew, Michael Scott “Miggs” Daly passed
away on October 10, 2010. He was 35 when
he died in his sleep from complications of diabetes. He was uncle, brother, son, and nephew, but
most of all, friend. If friendships were
wealth, then Michael’s legacy was worth a fortune. To Michael, the richest man in town!
For
the sake of the next generation, EAT SMART, America!
Chef AngelaB
