About a week or so after writing the column on my diabetes, I received an email from our lifestyle editor that there was a piece of mail for me that was delivered to the Times News.

I was a little nervous at first, automatically going the negative route and thinking it was some sort of hate mail stemming from another previous story, but being the type of person who loves surprises, I couldn't wait to see what was waiting for me.When I retrieved the item from Karen, I immediately opened it to find a handwritten card along with some other smaller, informational items.It would seem that a regular reader of the column, who happens to be 72 years young, felt led to reach out to me and share her wisdom and experience with diabetes along with some really helpful tips.I only got through the first couple of sentences before my eyes became a little misty because someone had taken time out of their day to try to encourage me and to offer their advice on how to cope with this horrible disease.She took the time to care.I don't know why I was so surprised by this simple act of kindness from a total stranger, but I was.I guess because that sort of thing just isn't as prevalent as perhaps it once was.First of all, it was an honest to goodness handwritten letter, which takes more time than an email and perhaps, given her age, may have even caused some physical pain in her hands from arthritis.I know it certainly would have for me.Then there is the fact that I am a stranger.My teenager thinks I am a freak if I talk to or even so much as smile at someone I do not know, although I am befuddled as to why.And then, of course, there is the issue of time.I am sure this sweet woman had more important things to do than to write that letter and cut out the additional informational items that she included with it; which, by the way, happened to be a photograph and contact information for a woman who specializes in the treatment of diabetes and the nutritional panel from a bag of pumpernickel-rye bread, which she claims takes longer to break down in your system than regular bread and which does not then cause a dramatic spike in glucose levels.She even went as far as to let me know that she at first wasn't too thrilled about the taste, but that eventually she learned to love it.She informed me that walking for 10 minutes after every meal can lower my blood sugar numbers and that because I can even walk indoors if I have to, that there is no excuse not to do it!The numerous tips she gave me regarding food were things I had not been aware of, despite thinking I had become an expert on the subject.I have said it before and I will say it again: You cannot imagine how even the smallest of gestures can have the biggest effect on someone's life.I have lost 15 pounds since writing that column through changes in my eating and exercise.It is not as much as I would have liked, however, and I admit I have become frustrated.To make matters worse, due to a busier than normal schedule this past week, I have had to resort to grabbing whatever was available to eat on the run and many times, my choices were very bad.This kicked my appetite, cravings and no doubt my blood sugar, into high gear starting that vicious cycle up all over again.I dug out that letter the other night and as I read her words once again, I realized that I can't allow myself to go back to my old ways.My life depends upon it.Dear Janice, I treasure your letter and will keep it for inspiration and as a reminder that if you can take the time to care about my health, then most certainly, so should I.