July 24, 2017 at 4:48 p.m.

Grandson's glasses bring new experiences

As I See It

By Diana Dolecki-

In a couple of weeks the second one of my grandchildren will be blessed with a new pair of glasses. The youngest, Nicholas, picked out his frames this past week. The pattern? Camouflage. What else?

His sister, Emma, has had her glasses for several years. They come by their poor eyesight honestly. Their mother, grandparents and great-grandparents are all blind as the proverbial bats.

His vision problem was discovered in a routine appointment. The follow-up with the optometrist confirmed the pediatrician’s assessment.

I am so glad this is getting taken care of now. I was in third grade before my own failing eyesight was discovered and in sixth grade before I received a pair of glasses that actually allowed me to see the leaves on the trees. I wonder what Nicholas will discover that he has been missing.

 My daughter’s description of the procedure was fascinating. Nicholas watched a cartoon while the doctor fiddled with the instruments until the proper prescription was obtained. I wondered if that wouldn’t be a more accurate way to measure the correction in adults also. It would certainly be easier than choosing between lens one or lens two.

His lack of perfect sight does not affect the volume of his voice. A recent phone call was punctuated with multiple orders to, “Stop screaming! I’m on the phone with Grandma!” Apparently his hearing isn’t any better than his vision as the screaming continued for some time. At least it was happy noise.

His new glasses won’t be ready in time for the annual party at his house. In the past my daughter, Beth, has hosted a formal midsummer ball complete with required dancing and punch in plastic fluted glasses. This year’s affair is to be a simple pool party. None of the attendees will be forced to dance. Paper cups will replace the fluted glasses. I’m sure everyone will have a good time.

While we would love to attend, we have previous commitments and the party will go on without us. We seem to be stuck in an endless round of doctor’s appointments and follow-ups. Nothing serious, just inconvenient. It is the price we pay for the privilege of getting older.

At some point we need to reschedule all the appointments and head south. It has been a long time since we loaded up the car for the drive across the continent. Every time we think we have an opening in the calendar, something else demands our attention.

Isn’t that the way life goes? Little children need glasses and pool parties. Old people need medical attention. We all need something. This includes the bumper crop of baby bunnies that seem to need to  munch on plants I would rather they left alone. I guess they have as much right to eat as I do.

In a few short weeks the garage sales will blossom in time for the antique tractor fans to invade. I was hoping our streets would be more presentable by then but it looks like that is unlikely. I am hoping that my energy returns soon. There are far too many weeds to be pulled as the bunnies aren’t much help.

Nicholas is getting glasses. Beth is hosting her annual party. There are no more pictures of small children who are far too close to alligators. As the old saying goes, “the universe is unfolding as it should.” Now if I could only train the bunnies to weed life would be perfect.
PORTLAND WEATHER

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