Dec 13, 2005

Things I never told you- part one

Did I ever tell you I was blind when I was three? It is true and it goes like this.

I don't remember being blind. It just seemed to me to be the world was supposed to be that way and I had no idea that anyone else was any different than I was. I do however, remember coming home from the hospital afterwards. It was like a window was opened on the world. I walked through the same streets that I had walked with my parents before, I strolled through the same mall I had gone to a hundred times in the past, but this time I was awestruck. I remember pointing out lights and pictures and shiny things amazed that I had never seen them before. I remember that at first the ground seemed to be coming up to meet me. I remember having troubles judging at first how far away the ground was and thinking my foot was about to hit the ground and then my foot slamming down as the ground was further than I thought. I remember wonder, amazement, excitment, thrill, and joy.

I don't however remember being blind. I don't remember the day at supper that my mother realized I couldn't see. You see, I was three. I didn't act blind. I may have seemed a little clumsy but I had adjusted to the world as I knew it and they didn't know. So, one day at dinner, my mother sits watching me eat. Quietly, she looks at my father and says, "Honey, she can't see." Dad looks back at her incredulously and says, "Well, of course she can." Mom looks back at him and repeats, "No, she can't just watch her." And so they did. As they watched, I reached for my glass and missed. I reached again, and again until I located it. When I had located it, I drank my drink and then placed it down where I knew it was. The same thing happened when I tried to eat. I picked up my fork and stabbed at the table until I found my plate. Once I had found my plate, I ate my dinner. Watching me and suddenly realizing what I was doing, made them realize that I actually couldn't see and then they scheduled an appointment.

Through the years, my eyesight has deteriorated, and I have been told there is a possibility that one day, I could again lose my eyesight, but this time permanently. I remember walking around my house as a child with a blindfold over my eyes to test to see what the world would be like if that should happen.

But in the meantime, I have been blessed with 30 years and counting of eyesight. I have seem my husband, I have seen my inlaws and my nephew and most important of all . . . I have seen the beautiful big brown eyes of my Little Princess, I have seen her crooked smile and her curly fuzzy hair. And because of that there is nothing that can happen in the future that could ever make me sad about losing my eyesight.

I don't look at it as losing something, I look at is as a gift the doctors gave me 30 years ago that I will treasure as long as I have it.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, what an amazing story! And I hope you have your eyesight for the rest of your life!!!

Anonymous said...

Lost my eyesight when we were engaged--and couldn't see when we married. I've written about it on the blog, and joke that I THINK we were married...I'm TOLD we were married. :)
Hh

Anonymous said...

What an incredible thing to have happen and to regain your sight...and now, with the possability that you might loose your sight again...this is so poignent, truly...I can see why you might not take anything for granted ever again....What a lesson that is! THanks for sharing this in such a beautiful way, too.

Anonymous said...

They may come up with some sort of treatment before you lose your sight completely. Progress is to the nth degree. By that I mean that they are developing more and more things every day. Don't lose hope and pray about it if you are the praying type.

On another note, I just saw your email to me yesterday about cookie recipes. For some reason it ended up on the email program of the computer that I don't normally use so I missed it. I can still give you the cookie recipe. They don't necessarily have to be Christmas cookies. Here it is:

MELTING MOMENTS

1 C. soft butter (not margarine)
1 C. flour
1/2 C. powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 C. cornstarch

FROSTING:
1/4 C. butter
1/4 C. cream cheese
1 tsp. almond extract
2 C. powdered sugar

Cream together the butter and sugar. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Mix with hands until well blended. If dough is soft, chill until firm. Shape dough into small balls. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.
Hint: Do NOT use a non stick cookie sheet.

Frosting: Soften butter and cream cheese. Mix all together until smooth. Add more powdered sugar, if necessary. Put a small amount of frosting on each cookie while they are still warm.

Enjoy, they are VERY YUMMY! They do really melt in your mouth.

Anonymous said...

You've got an incredible attitude. And I hope you get to keep your vision forever.

Anonymous said...

Wow, what an amazing story. I am so touched. My daughter was temporarily blind in one eye for a couple weeks and she told me that there is nothing worse than not being able to see. She got hit in the eye. You are a courageous woman and I have a feeling you'll never be deprived of your eyesight again.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story about yourself.

Anonymous said...

Wow Cindy, I'm being MommaK today and I'm so glad I picked your site from her blogroll. Your post really grabbed me from the get go-- you have such a wonderful attitude, so mature and grateful, that I'm sure you'll do wonderfully whatever happens.

Anonymous said...

weird.
how did you lose your eyesight?
how did you get it back?
do you have to take special precautions (avoid hitting your head or something) to keep your eyesight?
what's your vision prescription right now?

see I just have so many questions.
you can't just tell me a little story and leave it be....

oh and when will the cookies be ready, I love those.

Anonymous said...

What an awesome attitude you have. I don't know if I could be that positive if I was facing something like that. I will send good thoughts and prayers your way that something good happens for you!

Anonymous said...

That's so well-thought-out, I hope your gift stays.

Anonymous said...

That is an amazing story. I can see you are a "the glass is half=full kind of gal." What a blessing you have had your sight for this long. With this attitude I am sure it will continue.

Anonymous said...

i've never heard of that happening, hope it doesn't happen again.

Anonymous said...

So let me get this straight. You got blind when you were 3 or you were blind until you were 3? Either way its sad but I am glad you are able to see the beautiful things around you-and I hope you always can!

Anonymous said...

What an incredible discovery and ...wow, there aren't even words coming to mind for how amazing it was for you to overcome this.

Twitter