November 6, 2026
Hi Reader
Last Saturday I had the pleasure of walking in the Gulf Coast Breakthrough T1D walk. I've supported this organization since 2022, and I serve on our chapter's board. I walk for my daughter, Emily. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 19, and she has managed this awful autoimmune disease every single day since.
So, this walk means a lot to me every year. This year's turned out to be one of my favorite mornings in a long time. But it didn't start out that way.
I was a bit upset
In the days before the walk, it looked like I was going to be the only board member actually walking. That bothered me. If you're on the board, I think it's important to show up. Isn't the saying that 80% of life is just showing up? How can you be a board member and not attend the second most important fund raiser of the year?
Then, just the day before, I found out that no one from our chapter was going to speak. Only our sponsor, Achieve Credit Union. We are grateful for them, but that didn't sit right with me. The families who come to the walk should hear from the chapter too.
So I asked if I could speak, and I quickly put together a speech.
"Well, someone has to introduce you"
A few hours later, over dinner, I told Mike, my husband, the whole story and asked if he would listen to my speech. He obliged. When I finished, he said, "Well, someone has to introduce you. I'm going to do that."
I told him I wasn't sure that was needed and went about my business.
Honestly, I wasn't sure he would even make it. Our 14-year-old golden retriever, Henry, had a vet appointment at 11:00 that same morning. I had to be at a walk table by 8:00. My speech was at 9:00 and the walk started at 9:15. Lots of coordinating. I figured Mike might not walk at all.
But at 8:45, there he was, holding a little 3 x 5 index card with exactly how he wanted to introduce me. He went straight to our Executive Director, Danielo, cue card in hand, and told her what he wanted to do. She was all for it.
Then he stood up in front of everyone and read from his card:
"Breakthrough T1D is not just a cause we support - it's personal. Our daughter contracted type 1 diabetes at 19, and we have watched her struggle with this for a long time. My wife has worked tirelessly to support funding for a cure. And so I am proud to introduce my wife, Wendy."
I was so touched. Honestly, I didn't think he had really noticed the work I was doing. He had.
It was absolutely the sweetest thing someone could do for someone else. He showed up for me, and he showed up for our daughter.
What I took home
I spent the days before the walk thinking about who wasn't going to be there. What I'll remember is who was.
Showing up doesn't have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes it's an index card and fifteen minutes squeezed in before a vet appointment. At this stage of life, most of us finally have more say over our time, and where we choose to spend it says a lot.
I can't control who else shows up. I can decide that I will. And I can notice, and say thank you, when someone shows up for me.
I'd love to hear from you
Who showed up for you when you didn't expect it? Or is there somewhere you could show up for someone this week? Hit reply and tell me. I read every message.
Warmly, Wendy
P.S. Henry made it to his 11:00 appointment. He's just an old dog, and everything was okay.
Quote of the Week
"Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen." — Brené Brown
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