In Boca Raton, where Palmetto Park Drive meets the ocean, there is a small town beach called South Beach Pavilion. There is a circular parking lot with muni meters so you can stay for only one hour. Although this may seem too short for many people, it works well for us. Only 30 steps from the beach, time is limited so there’s no need to worry about food. We check the kids’ blood sugars, disconnect their insulin pumps and put them in the cooler, and we bring the towels and sand toys down to the water.

It is convenient. But I like South Beach Pavilion for a different reason.

Just for an hour my sons can run into the water freely without caring about their insulin pumps.

Just for an hour they can play in the sand without worrying about damaging these $5000 pieces of equipment which are their life support.

Just for an hour they can play without watching everyone gather for picnics with tons of food.

Just for an hour Sam can go over to a group of older boys and play beach soccer without having them look at him strangely and ask him why he wears a fanny pack containing his pump.

Just for an hour my children can build castles, play volleyball, splash around with other kids and not have to think about their diabetes.

And just for an hour my husband and I can relax, listen to the kids squeal as they jump into the cold ocean water, chase seagulls, and pick up shells

Just for an hour we can sit quietly, watching this ocean scene, care- free, phone-free for this hour. No need to explain to anyone that in this time-limited perfect setting, we have absolutely no doubt in our minds that we are by far the HAPPIEST people on the beach.