When I first came to the computer this morning I had intentions of writing about a different subject.  However, as I sat down I realized my glasses were in another room (without which I can not focus well on the monitor screen or on anything inside of about 30 inches).  I had to go find a pair to even be here writing this.  From a few feet away to infinity I am blessed with good vision, but up close my age is showing.  So with a reminder of how much I depend on my glasses my original subject was  tossed aside.  Today from the keyboard I want to express my gratefulness for my dear “spectacles”. 

Around the age of 40 the first pair of drug store reading glasses came into my life with me thinking they were actually kind of cool to wear.  Having them on did make things slightly clearer, but they were not necessary… at least not yet.  Ten years later when I celebrated living 5 decades, reading glasses were my constant companion.  Now there are pairs scattered around the house, extra’s in my car, spare’s in my desk at work and in travel bags there are always backup glasses just in case.  At this point I am pleased to be able to buy what is needed at the local drug store for $10 or so.  So having multiple pairs is not particularly expensive (another piece of good fortune). 

Have you noticed that most of the American printed landscape must be designed by 20 something’s whose vision has not deteriorated yet? 

–         The instructions on just about any over the counter medication is so terribly small that I have to often use a magnifying glass while wearting glasses to accurately see what is printed.  I wonder what unique ailments or conditions I might have one day due to taking inaccurate amounts picked when my glasses were not nearby.

–         Are there books I am not supposed to read?  Is there knowledge the young ones don’t want me to have?  The small sized printing in some give me the idea that might be true.   What are those young “whipper-snappers” up to? (smile)

And more….       

–         Ever tried to tighten those little screws on glasses?  I solved the issue by using a head band type magnifier with the little screwdriver.  You should see me then.  I look like a questionable jeweler in a Quentin Tarantino movie.

–         I need my glasses to use my mobile phone (without them I have accidently talked to some very interesting people), to use the nav system in my car (more than once I have ended quite a ways from where I intended), to see the button labels on my TV remote (or else find the correct channel through trial and error or the up/down channel selector) and these days to even eat I need my glasses (I have this thing about knowing exactly what and how much I put in my mouth!).

I say those things tongue in cheek and have been smiling the whole time I was typing them.  I don’t mind at all and take my need for glasses as a prized trophy for living life and trading my years for wisdom gained.  Those who have worn glasses since childhood probably won’t feel the same as I do.  If I were them I probably would not either.

So as I look at the photo at the top, I am reminded again of my imperfect eyes that see pretty well overall and my glasses that take care of the rest of my up-close seeing.  I absolutely do not feel the need to complain or wish things to be different for me.  I will always be thankful for my glasses that make reading, a favorite pastime, easy.  Without them I would not be able to begin the new book you see in the photo above that arrived from Amazon.com just a few days ago.  I can’t wait to start it.

Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.  Doris Day