Day Seven

This is supposed to be my final day, but that’s not happening, as I’ve already warned. Too much going on this week to not have fun and take random photos and then write about them later! We have Thanksgiving and a four day weekend, Christmas decorating and a dreaded eye appointment for me Saturday. 

I’m not a fan of my glasses. Wait. No. I like glasses because they help me read. The concept of glasses is fine. It’s the wearing them part that sucks. As a kid, my mom was told I would eventually need glasses. I had this completely irrational fear that once I got these promised glasses, that I would be made fun of incessantly – four eyed freckle face was what I was sure the taunts would start with. Promised glasses never became a reality. I seem to remember someone along the line telling me that when I picked up reading that it strengthened my eyes considerably, making it to where I didn’t need glasses. 

Until one night I was watching TV at my apartment with Chases dad. We had just began seeing each other seriously. We were looking for something to watch, and I commented that I must need a new TV – the one I had was originally bought in 2003 and had been my mother’s. It was 2011. He asked why, and I replied that the screen was blurry. He looked confused and then started to laugh a little, and informed me that there was nothing wrong with my television. It was my turn to be confused. Suddenly it dawned on me what he was trying to say – it was my eyes that were messed up, not my television. I was 26 years old, and that irrational fear of being made fun of suddenly was looming in front of me.

Luckily, I just need the ugly bastards for reading and computer work. I’ve been told that I look good with glasses on. So my vanity hasn’t taken a horrible hit. They’re mainly a pain in the ass. And I personally am not a fan of how they look on me. But it is nice to see stuff clearly. 

I took today’s picture, and I was momentarily at a loss as to what in the picture I could be grateful for. 

I stare out the same window Monday through Friday most weeks, and with exception to the weather, it doesn’t change. I’ve already posted about being grateful for my job. I mean, there’s candy in the picture so I guess I could be grateful for that. Or that everything is going from pumpkin spice to peppermint. Peppermint mocha is a weakness of mine, thus the coffee on the edge of the picture, and the white chocolate peppermint candy kisses in my candy bowl. 

But, as I thought about my impending eye appointment and looking out the window for my picture, it came to me.

I may need glasses for words, but damnit, I can see. Like, I’m not blind. I’m grateful for the gift of sight today.

I can see the oranges and browns of fall as everything is dying to ready itself to bloom, beautiful and alive again in the spring. I can see the individuality of a snowflake should I take the time to look and not just bitch about the nasty, cold, wet stuff. I can see my children’s faces, their eyes and their smiles. I could see the blush rise into Matt’s cheeks as his teachers praised him at conferences, and note the way he covered his mouth with his hand while he talked – he must be self conscious of something, and we need to work on that. I can see the way Chase raises his eyebrows when he’s discussing something with you that is only important to a five year old, or the joy on his face when he sees me after work. The sunrises and sunsets, the changes of season, the stores decked out with holiday decor, and so much more.

I opened my eyes this morning, and wasn’t thankful for the fact that when they opened, I could see my surroundings. Pretty humbling to realize that this is something that could be taken at any time, and I take it for granted quite frequently. I’ll be looking at things a little more closely today. And even if the doctor tells me Saturday that I have to wear my glasses all day every day, I’ll try not to bitch too much. It could definitely be worse.