Eddie L TillisGrowing up my mother worked out of town. Her day would begin at 3:15 am and included an hour-long trip to a job which prevented her from being home for myself and my three sisters after school. Fortunately, my grandmother was there with plenty of tim, loving hands and the best down home cooking a young boy could want. I would smile and rub my stomach as the aromas encircled the house and filled the yard. On shopping day, I would ride my bike alongside her and carry a bag or two of groceries on the walk to and from town. She would say, Boy! Don't you wreck that bike and mess up those groceries now. Once the groceries were put away she would make a large pitcher of super sweet Kool-Aid. I would stand there waiting for her to pour me a glass. On a hot summers day in Oklahoma there was nothing like a cold glass of grandma's Kool aid. I took pride in helping my grandmother. Learning her toe would be amputated broke my heart. Later when they removed her leg up to the knee, I was devastated, more so when her other leg was also removed. I was told sugar diabetes was the cause. I had no idea what it was, but I knew I didn't want anything to do with it. Boy, she would say, You make something out of yourself in life. Don't be like a lot of these men around here, they are not worth a hill of beans. I would listen and smile as I watched this amazing woman suffer the complications of a debilitating disease. It took every muscle in my little body to help her in and out of her wheelchair Overtime diabetes took my grandmother's life. Since her passing I have been on a mission to prevent diabetes. Being blessed with a vision, I have spent my life working on ways to educate children and families worldwide on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and physical wellbeing. With help, guidance and contributions from some of the best nutritionists and dietitians, FIT COMMAND is my contribution. Read More Read Less