As most of you will know from my post a couple of weeks ago, BeingDiabetic is going into an indefinite hiatus after today as we roll into 2011.

Aaron and I both wanted to do a bit of a wrap up, so here goes…

Nic

Well, it’s hard to believe that BeingDiabetic has been running now for 2.5 years, although at the same time I look back on the thousands of hours we’ve clocked up in bringing it to you it almost seems surprising that it’s only been that long! (if that makes any sense).

We’ve come a long way since the first posts in July 2008 (see them here). We’ve been through several different designs, added a Directory and an Articles page, won the Best Lifestyle site in the Netguide awards, and increased the size of our community to representing more than 6, 000 New Zealanders visiting the site in the last six months (which accounts for around 40% of the population of T1s in this country). We have written just shy of 700 posts. I am massively fond of and proud of the site.

My sum up wouldn’t be complete without a teary thank you to my lovely Aaron, who has been a huge motivator for the site all the way through. From my first question to him of “hey, if I started a blog about T1 do you reckon you’d read it?”, to his overwhelming enthusiasm, friendliness, positivity and energy, hilarious exploits at conferences and T1 dinners, through hypos, hypers and capers involving makeshift insulin pens…. I really couldn’t have hung this thing together without him. Aaron, you’re one helluva guy, a lifelong friend, and a complete darling. Shame about the shoddy pancreas, but no-one’s perfect eh?

Aaron

Where to start?!

The last couple of years of being involved here on BeingDiabetic have been incredible. When Nic first approached me about it I  knew it was an awesome idea and that it would also be lots of fun but I had no expectation and certainly no idea of just how much of a success it would. We have received so much back ranging from word of mouth praise to the web awards this year and the letters of thanks and comments from you guys, the readers.

We have been so incredibly lucky to have had this experience and all that has come along with it – the sagas, the trips, the laughs, the dinners, the friends. I have to say that it’s been an exceptionally rewarding process of self-discovery for me as I was always able to talk to a community of like minded people who ‘understand’, who can empathise and connect on the same level as me and who have been happy to read my rambling scribbles and share a laugh over it! I have gained a new perspective on my health while going through a kind of catharsis with this blog and I genuinely feel I need to thank Nic and all of you guys for supporting us.

My last word has to be to Nic though.

Nic, you are quite simply, an absolute legend for whom I have an enormous amount of gratitude and respect along with I’m sure, everyone who reads this blog or has had the pleasure of meeting you. I have rarely laughed so hard and so often and had so much fun with any colleague, friend or T1 as I have had with you. You have my utmost admiration and respect as a friend, diabetic, wife and mother and I’m looking forward to the next 40 or so years as mates (if I can still see when I’m older, of course).

What an incredible journey.

Thank yous.

There are so many people to thank for their input and support for the blog:

• Piri @ Supply for hosting for free, even when we kept increasing the bandwidth!
• Nadia @ http://www.nadiaflower.com/ for the very beautiful first heading illustration for the site. An amazingly talented lady.
• Theunis @ The CB for the identity, site design, print design, website development and creation of ads. You’ve been incredible Theunis, and it’s been absolutely fantastic to have you as creative director for the site.
• All of the wonderful guest bloggers we’ve had on the site over the years.
• The advertisers who’ve supported us.
• And of course to all of the readers, especially you regular readers and commenters. The blog would not have worked at all without your input.

A final word.

Have yourselves a wonderful Christmas, and all the very best for a happy and healthy year ahead in 2011. Do please follow us on Facebook as I’m sure Aaron and I can’t help but post a few things on there from time to time, plus if you join you can put stuff on the wall as well.

There are some links built up on this page too, and a couple of suggestions of other blogs you might like.

Finally – if you’re not already signed up as a subscriber, do so here, and if the blog springs back into life, you’ll be the first to know.

Kia kaha and ka kite ano. Merry Christmas!

Nic and Aaron

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