Blindness

When I was in grade 3, my optometrist told
me that I probably needed glasses since the eyedrops weren't
working. One day afternoon my mom took me to the eye glasses
store and got me a pair. I was so excited the next day that
I couldn't wait to tell all my classmates, as if it was
something of a novelty.

After that it was all downhill. I got these
dorky plastic glasses. But what I remembered most is.. I
became so unsure of my world without glasses. After I took
off my glasses, I don't dare looking at people because I
have no idea what I looked like without glasses. I'd cover
my face with my hands, begging for my glasses back.

It was not until grade 12, when I saved up
and got my first pair of contact lenses. In the clinic, I
stared at the mirror, carefully examining every details of
my facial features. It was like staring at someone so
familiar, yet so distant. The next week I stood in front of
the classroom, waiting to get in. My classmates saw me but
didnt' greet. Turned out they didn't realize it was me until
after I started talking. My face had matured more than I
imagined. It was no longer a blur that's too shameful to
look at. I believed I was more confident with contact
lenses, so sure of myself that I felt everybody was looking
at me when I walked about.

Then things got worse, I went into
university and was out of money. I no longer wear contact
lenses but instead wear my cheap thick old glasses day after
day. My prescription increased as I grew older as did my
astigmatism, making contact lenses a difficult alternative.

Last winter, I went to Cypress to ski (alone
of course) one of my lenses popped off when i was on the
lift. I was practically one eye blind when I ski down. My
right eye distorted my whole vision and I had to cover it up
with my toque in order to drive back. That's when I decided
that I will say goodbye to glasses forever.

As soon as I heard that I could take 3 days
off in a row I booked my appointment and got it done. After
4 weeks, my vision is still kinda blurry, not the 20/20 I
had hoped. I can only hope that it'll get better, because
it's straining at times. Anyhoo, I am still thankful that I
don't have to wear glasses anymore for another 20 years.

If I were a kid again, I'd stay away from TV
and computer games and be more active in sports. Eyesight is
really one of the best gifts God has ever given to men.