I find myself partially paying attention to the news these days, but I’ve noticed some favorite phrases of politicians and pundits. “Look” and “Just to be clear” are two of them, so I voted early and had cataract surgery.
My ophthalmologist explained preop that my new lenses could correct for distance, computers, or reading, but I would have to choose one. Being a big picture person, I chose distance. I also depend on my vision for balance on my funky feet.
Surgery on my right eye was the day before Town Meeting in Vermont. I couldn’t see much with a patch over one eye, but the instructions were not difficult--in theory. “Rest, and don’t try to open the eye under the patch.” I listened to the news about Super Tuesday with both eyes closed. After having the patch removed on Tuesday, my phone rang. My husband was in the hospital. His diagnosis was life changing. He will need 24/7 care from now on. Goodness gracious, Grace. What are you thinking!
I could “see” Sylvia Boorstein’s wisdom with my third eye, the sixth chakra, our energetic center for intuition, self-realization, inspiration, and imagination--all helpful in understanding the relationship between our inner and outer worlds. My third eye doesn’t have a cataract. Sylvia is fond of saying, “Sweetheart, you’re in pain. Relax. Take a breath. Let’s figure out what is happening. Then we’ll figure out what to do.” I did my best to follow her instructions.
I called the hospital. I called Bill. I called his doctor, his daughter, and our pastor. Heather, his caregiver, and I talked at length. Two heads are better than one. My ophthalmologist told me not to travel, which, it turns out, was just as well. Bill had the norovirus in addition to his major diagnosis. Everyone who came in contact with him, including the ambulance crew, caught it. Surgery on my left eye was a week later. Both eyes are pretty good for distance now, but they are not talking to each other yet. Healing takes time--two more weeks of applying eye drops on different schedules and no bending over or lifting. The world feels topsy-turvy with my eyes open or closed while occasionally listening to the news. One piece of great news: Bill is out of the hospital with excellent round-the-clock care.
Every morning, eyes closed, I draw an angel card from a childhood porridge bowl with my name on it. When I opened my eyes to read this morning’s card, I smiled. It says: “Vision.” Amazing, Grace. My vision is to change the operating system of the world from one based on fear to one based on love. It is said that our eyes are windows to the soul. These wise eyes are full of Graceful Mischief for The Common Good.