If you can see every time you open your eyes, that is a blessing. Those with good eyesight often don’t realize the benefits of just looking at something.
I went to the eye doctor last week. I’ve been going to the same optometrist’s office since I was eight years old. Yeah, that’s been a while. I used to hear the same news every year. “Your eyes are a little worse than last year.”
I refused the glasses until fourth grade. Then, it became necessary. When I turned 16, though, I didn’t want a car for my birthday. I wanted contacts.
Some seven years ago, I became introduced to night and day lenses. That means they can be worn for a month and then just thrown away. I prefer it that way. Now, every time I open my eyes I can see. I don’t have to search for glasses in the dark. I don’t have to try and fumble my way through the house.
The truth is that my eyesight is terrible. Last year my doctor told me that if I would have lived in early America that I would have been dead by now. It’s not exactly the message one expects when going for an optometrist appointment.
He thought of two good reasons why my life would have ended early. For one, I couldn’t see well enough to know if someone was approaching from behind. And, secondly, he thought some clan would love to have my scalp.
Nice. A year later, I still remember the conversation vividly. He always wanted to have these in-depth discussions about my demise in another time and place when I could barely see him. Once arriving at the eye doctor’s office, contacts are removed so tests can be done for glaucoma, etc. From that point on, everything is a blur — seriously. I can only see for about six inches and then it all fades off into continual haze.
This year I kept my glasses in my car so I would have them to wear after taking out my contacts. It seemed like a good plan, until I drove the truck that day.
So here I sit again in a waiting room, not even knowing if the people a few chairs over have made eye contact or given me any signs of nonverbal communication. I gave an uneasy smile entering the room and pretended to read the paper on my lap. I could see their fuzzy outlines, but that was it. Luckily, the doctor called my name.
This time, it was the previous doctor’s daughter. I told her the story about my demise. She laughed, adding that he’d tell me the same if I ever had a caesarean delivery in childbirth. Apparently, he likes to remind people of the wonders of modern science and technology by constant reminders that the option years ago could have been death instead.
While she didn’t continue with his stories, she did confirm that I do have poor eyesight. She asked for my contacts. I told her I thought they were on the other side of the room, but she’d have to tell me.
Soon, she returned my “eyes” with a fresh pair of contacts. If you want to convince me about the wonders of modern technology, just put my contacts back. For me, seeing is believing.
As I think about the potential scalping I might have experienced at the hands of an expert hunter, I realize that it could have been different. I’m sure my excellent olfactory senses would have alerted me to dangers. It’s not like I would wander to the edge of the corn field anyway ... unless a squirrel might have crossed my path.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
A Toast to Fewer Canker Sores
A friend of mine called with a rather excited message the other day. Finally, her braces are removed. I’ve never really seen cards for such occasions. But it definitely was a moment that deserved attention.
“Have fun licking your teeth tonight,” I told her.
She said, “Oh, I have been. How did you know?” Really I have no guide. I never wore braces. Yet, I would expect that one would eventually miss running the tongue along the teeth. Do you think I could have found a card with the same sentiments? Or perhaps “a toast to fewer canker sores” inside a card?
Years ago I had a dream of becoming a greeting card writer. Of course, I never pursued it. I just think a niche market exists out there of strange card reasonings.
Picture it: “Congratulations,” the outside of the card notes. Inside: “For taking six years to complete a two-year degree. That’s a valuable education for sure!”
The other day I went to the greeting card aisle of a local store looking for a thank-you note to provide to my god parents from my cat. My family took a few different trips this summer that required us to be away from home for multiple days. They agreed to feed Darrell, our cat. I never found a card from him to them, so I improvised. I just wrote a message from the cat to them. I signed with a paw print. I thought about trying to get him to actually sign with a print, but decided he really wouldn’t be in the mood for such an experience. Probably one can find cards from animals. I would expect those do exist in some stores.
The options for greetings have improved. During my husband’s birthday celebration this year, the inundation of cards included one that had a redneck sitting on his porch saying, “Bigger is better. Think about it.” Inside: “Trucks, dogs, etc. Happy Birthday, big guy!” He even had a card from the perspective of a roll of toilet paper. Sitting on the countertop by the toilet, it has a speech block saying, “And you thought your job was bad ...” I adore such creativity. A friend sent me a note the other day saying, “We’ll be friends until we can’t remember how old we are.” Inside: “In fact, that may be now. What are we? 26? Around 26. Maybe 25.” Well, not hardly on that whole age aspect.
As I listened to a cd today, I heard a wonderful song entitled, “The Time In Between.” The thought crossed my mind that we should create a greeting card for church goers. “For the time in between ... Sunday services...” Inside: “May you behave the same as you do while being nice at church.”
A whole series of “For the time in between” could be created.
“For the time in between ... entering WalMart and leaving it...” Inside: “May you remember to abide by your shopping list and not be swayed by falling prices.”
“For the time in between ... lunch and dinner...” Inside: “May you remember that your body knows such thing as ‘sneaking’ food. It tells all.”
“For the time in between ... the first piano lesson and the first symphony...” Inside: “Remember that ear plugs aren’t a bad sign from family members.”
“For the time in between ... school is out and school starts...” Inside: “Remember it is the favorite time of year for children.”
“For the time in between ... starting a job and finding another...” Inside: “At least you are getting a paycheck.”
Oh, I could go on and on. Some, however, should probably not leave my mind. So for the time in between this and the launch of my card series ... imagine for yourself.
“Have fun licking your teeth tonight,” I told her.
She said, “Oh, I have been. How did you know?” Really I have no guide. I never wore braces. Yet, I would expect that one would eventually miss running the tongue along the teeth. Do you think I could have found a card with the same sentiments? Or perhaps “a toast to fewer canker sores” inside a card?
Years ago I had a dream of becoming a greeting card writer. Of course, I never pursued it. I just think a niche market exists out there of strange card reasonings.
Picture it: “Congratulations,” the outside of the card notes. Inside: “For taking six years to complete a two-year degree. That’s a valuable education for sure!”
The other day I went to the greeting card aisle of a local store looking for a thank-you note to provide to my god parents from my cat. My family took a few different trips this summer that required us to be away from home for multiple days. They agreed to feed Darrell, our cat. I never found a card from him to them, so I improvised. I just wrote a message from the cat to them. I signed with a paw print. I thought about trying to get him to actually sign with a print, but decided he really wouldn’t be in the mood for such an experience. Probably one can find cards from animals. I would expect those do exist in some stores.
The options for greetings have improved. During my husband’s birthday celebration this year, the inundation of cards included one that had a redneck sitting on his porch saying, “Bigger is better. Think about it.” Inside: “Trucks, dogs, etc. Happy Birthday, big guy!” He even had a card from the perspective of a roll of toilet paper. Sitting on the countertop by the toilet, it has a speech block saying, “And you thought your job was bad ...” I adore such creativity. A friend sent me a note the other day saying, “We’ll be friends until we can’t remember how old we are.” Inside: “In fact, that may be now. What are we? 26? Around 26. Maybe 25.” Well, not hardly on that whole age aspect.
As I listened to a cd today, I heard a wonderful song entitled, “The Time In Between.” The thought crossed my mind that we should create a greeting card for church goers. “For the time in between ... Sunday services...” Inside: “May you behave the same as you do while being nice at church.”
A whole series of “For the time in between” could be created.
“For the time in between ... entering WalMart and leaving it...” Inside: “May you remember to abide by your shopping list and not be swayed by falling prices.”
“For the time in between ... lunch and dinner...” Inside: “May you remember that your body knows such thing as ‘sneaking’ food. It tells all.”
“For the time in between ... the first piano lesson and the first symphony...” Inside: “Remember that ear plugs aren’t a bad sign from family members.”
“For the time in between ... school is out and school starts...” Inside: “Remember it is the favorite time of year for children.”
“For the time in between ... starting a job and finding another...” Inside: “At least you are getting a paycheck.”
Oh, I could go on and on. Some, however, should probably not leave my mind. So for the time in between this and the launch of my card series ... imagine for yourself.
Back to Camp
I almost forgot what it was like to be a teenage girl. True, it has been quite a while. That reminds me of the upcoming class reunion I should help plan. No reason to say how many years.
Anyway, I spent a week this summer at camp, staying in the dorms with girls ranging in age from seven to 19. What an experience!
I used to say that girls are mean, especially teenage girls. They like to fight constantly. They like to judge one another. They rarely forgive, and never forget. I had to change my opinion.
The girls at this church camp were exceptional. Each age group helped the ones younger than it. They showed compassion on those who had less. They demonstrated patience with those whose mannerisms weren’t always suitable. And, most importantly, they requested forgiveness openly when they had frustrated one another.
The first camp rule was respect. One word. Simply stated. We should live each day of our lives with this as the number one rule to follow. Respect each other and each other’s belongings.
Any problems that resulted during camp were first sent through a mentor. All younger boys and girls had older teens to serve as their mentors. Talk about role models. If a problem needed to go beyond that mentor, it went before the entire camp.
It could have been as simple as cutting line on multiple occasions. As one teenage boy discovered, it resulted in an apology to the entire camp ... and the opportunity to lead worship circle that night.
Other apologies came from smacking someone when they wouldn’t listen, or threatening to stab someone’s hand at dinnertime with a fork. Of course, some were in jest but the idea was sincere. If in any way I have hurt your feelings, I apologize. If in any way I have publicly or even privately embarrassed you, I apologize. If we simply had a misunderstanding, I apologize.
Why do we find it so hard to say we are sorry or to admit that we are wrong? I saw the benefits of it last week. I saw masses of youth flock to an altar to say the same to God. The result was beautiful.
No, we are not perfect. Yes, we may hurt someone’s feelings each day. That is no reason to become calloused to our actions. It is not a permission slip to just keep on doing it because it is too late to stop now.
It is never too late to change. It is never too late to ask for forgiveness. It produces a refreshing attitude that one just has to share with others.
While I had little sleep last week, I didn’t even feel tired. The enthusiasm of the activities and the learning that was involved in this camp provided enough momentum to allow me to be fully energized.
I spent hours studying so I could teach others. The greatest lessons, however, were shown to me by those who some would have thought knew the least. We can learn so much in humility. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to serve these youth and maybe teach them a thing or two along the way. I can guarantee you that they taught me so much more.
Anyway, I spent a week this summer at camp, staying in the dorms with girls ranging in age from seven to 19. What an experience!
I used to say that girls are mean, especially teenage girls. They like to fight constantly. They like to judge one another. They rarely forgive, and never forget. I had to change my opinion.
The girls at this church camp were exceptional. Each age group helped the ones younger than it. They showed compassion on those who had less. They demonstrated patience with those whose mannerisms weren’t always suitable. And, most importantly, they requested forgiveness openly when they had frustrated one another.
The first camp rule was respect. One word. Simply stated. We should live each day of our lives with this as the number one rule to follow. Respect each other and each other’s belongings.
Any problems that resulted during camp were first sent through a mentor. All younger boys and girls had older teens to serve as their mentors. Talk about role models. If a problem needed to go beyond that mentor, it went before the entire camp.
It could have been as simple as cutting line on multiple occasions. As one teenage boy discovered, it resulted in an apology to the entire camp ... and the opportunity to lead worship circle that night.
Other apologies came from smacking someone when they wouldn’t listen, or threatening to stab someone’s hand at dinnertime with a fork. Of course, some were in jest but the idea was sincere. If in any way I have hurt your feelings, I apologize. If in any way I have publicly or even privately embarrassed you, I apologize. If we simply had a misunderstanding, I apologize.
Why do we find it so hard to say we are sorry or to admit that we are wrong? I saw the benefits of it last week. I saw masses of youth flock to an altar to say the same to God. The result was beautiful.
No, we are not perfect. Yes, we may hurt someone’s feelings each day. That is no reason to become calloused to our actions. It is not a permission slip to just keep on doing it because it is too late to stop now.
It is never too late to change. It is never too late to ask for forgiveness. It produces a refreshing attitude that one just has to share with others.
While I had little sleep last week, I didn’t even feel tired. The enthusiasm of the activities and the learning that was involved in this camp provided enough momentum to allow me to be fully energized.
I spent hours studying so I could teach others. The greatest lessons, however, were shown to me by those who some would have thought knew the least. We can learn so much in humility. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to serve these youth and maybe teach them a thing or two along the way. I can guarantee you that they taught me so much more.
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