Meet Smurple. Smurple is a purple puppy. He is extra special because he was given to Caylin during her stay in the PICU after her diagnosis. Every time I look at Smurple, I’m taken back to those first couple of days after her diagnosis when it was so surreal, so scary and our lives were turned upside down.
I can still see her laying in that hospital bed with an iv in her arm and that little hospital gown that she looked like she was drowning in. I can see that look of fear in her eyes. She wasn’t exactly sure what was going on and she had a hard time understanding it all. But Smurple. Well, Smurple made her smile. Anyone who knows Caylin knows that she loves puppies. No wait, she LOVES puppies. There, that’s better. ;) So I was so happy to see Smurple.
Together Caylin and I came up with the name, Smurple the Purple Pup. It seemed to fit him just right. You want to know something a bit silly? I actually talked to Smurple once at the hospital. Yep. I told him, “thank you.” I said those two simple words to him because he made Caylin happy. He comforted her. He made her forget, if even for a little bit, the scary thing she was going through. Yep, I talked to a stuffed animal. I did.
How could I not? After all, Smurple made her smile and he makes me smile, too.
Even though I’ve already said it once, “Thank you, Smurple.”
I mean it. ♥
Wendy Goundrey
September 11, 2012 at 8:27 amOur son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 7 so I know exactly what you are going through. By the way, he turns 38 in November. The fortunate thing is that he accepted it right away and did what he had to do to keep healthy.
Kristina
September 13, 2012 at 8:28 pmHugs, Wendy! Thank you so much for sharing! So happy your son is living a healthy and happy life! :)
just me
September 11, 2012 at 6:15 pmWhere do they sell smurples? In case we would like to get one?
Kristina
September 13, 2012 at 8:28 pmYou know – he looks handmade so I think he’s a one-of-a-kind! Wish I knew more!
mercadeo
September 25, 2012 at 1:29 amWhen my daughter was diagnosed with diabetes , she had three birthday parties to attend within two weeks of being sprung from the hospital. I remember asking the nurse what I was supposed to do. Was I supposed to rescind our RSVP’s so that she wasn’t exposed to cake? Was I supposed to take some alternate low carb “treat” for her to consume? What was I supposed to do?!