We are fans of the Pinkalicious series of books. Pinkalicious is fancy and loves pink, her parents are fun but they’re not shy about enforcing the rules, and Pinkalicious learns a valuable lesson about eating healthy, green foods. What’s not to love?
For Christmas, we chose to share the pink fun with my niece and the kids’ younger cousin by giving her the first three books in the series: Pinkalicious, Purplicious and Goldilicious. Since there were three books and I have three kids, I asked them each to make an inscription in one of the books to make the gift a little more special.
Lila picked Goldilicious because she likes “unackorns”.
Colin’s summary of Pinkalicious addressed the perils of eating too many cupcakes because he’s all about making good food choices.
Caleb’s initial note summarized a very important, yet succinct message from Purplicious:
This story will teach you that you don’t have to agree with other people. Just be yourself. Love, Caleb.
An excellent point, indeed. Nevertheless, I asked Caleb to personalize it so that it would mean more to his cousin. He met my challenge with this:
P.S. So far in each grade I’ve had to teach people about diabetes. In the story “Purplicious”, Pinklicious is the only one who likes pink. Pinklicious feels like she is being teased. I feel the same way when I’m in front of people and they stare at me. At the end of “Purplicious” Pinkilicious feels better because she meets a girl who likes pink because it makes purple. I feel better because I get used to it and tell them what it is.
So M, if you ever feel like you’re being teased just know that you can stick up for yourself. It doesn’t matter what other people think. Caleb.
No matter how much I try to normalize his environment, and despite the best efforts of the caring people who surround him, this feeling of being different remains.
As heart-wrenching as it is to read his words, I take comfort in the wisdom that he has gained, and his willingness to share it with those he loves.
This is Caleb... 
WOW!!!! I couldn’t have said it better myself Caleb!!! You rock!!
Good job Mom!!! Warms and breaks your heart at the same time. Funny how our kids can do that to us!!
That is one smart little boy you have there… wise beyond his years! Amazing that he has his stuff together better than some adults I know!!!
I love this kid!!! *wiping the tears away!*
I think your words got to me more than Caleb’s Lo.
“No matter how much I try to normalize his environment, and despite the best efforts of the caring people who surround him, this feeling of being different remains.
As heart-wrenching as it is to read his words, I take comfort in the wisdom that he has gained, and his willingness to share it with those he loves.”
I feel like so much of my time/energy/and care in Joe’s type 1 management is geared toward “normalcy”…yeah, as if?! UGH.
Love to you and your brilliant guy Caleb.
that brought tears to my eyes, so sweet and empathetic…how old is he?! Amazing how d has taught these kiddos such amazing life lessons that many don’t learn until late adulthood. And BTW I love those books!
He’s 8. I hear over and over from adult T1Ds that D made them grow up sooner than they otherwise would have.
Oh, wow. This is so incredibly sweet. What a gift to be able to hold onto their little minds — and what a wonderful lesson this will be for everyone who reads it on the journey ahead.
You’ve got one smart boy there, Lo. ❤ his inscription to his cousin. Too cute!
Caleb is so awesome!!! It’s hard to be different, I know. I can’t wait to meet him so we can spend a little time being different together!!
Lorraine – Elizabeth Kann has 3 children, 2 of which have Type 1. She’s also a doctor. We met her at a diabetes family weekend. Didn’t know she was famous at the time. Too cool.
Get out of town! I had no idea!
That is amazing! I think I must buy these books!
What a great post and knowing that the author has 2 t1 children – AMAZING! We love Pinkalicious at our house but I was never a fan of Purplelicious until I read Caleb’s note to his cousin.
The book always made me a little sad but Caleb hit the nail on the head.
Lo – your family always leaves me speechless. <— not easy to do BTW. 🙂
What a special little guy Caleb is. A lesson I too need to remember, coming from an 8 year old 🙂
I do everything in my power to make our life seem “normal” as all get out. But they still know. No one wants to be different when they are in elementary school…but somehow they thrive in the face of the harder things. I’m in awe of our children. Caleb is a shining example of the wonderfulness, and reseliency of our children!
Wow, that was poignant!
The way you wrapped it up at the end moved me just as much as Caleb’s inscription.
What perfect timing!!! I am taking my girls to see the play Pinkalicious at the local children’s theatre this weekend. I will be thinking of your sweet boy while I’m watching the play for sure. It is so sad that our kids rarely escape feeling different. But at the same time, they are wise beyond their years. Caleb is truly amazing!
You have such an amazing little boy, Lorraine. Thanks for posting this!
Oh! I love this! We LOVE Pinkalicious here! Have you seen the new Silverlicious? It’s about sweetness coming from the inside… very cute, good message! And how awesome (well, you know…) about the D connection!
Caleb is gem… But then so is his Mama!