At my eye appointment in December, my ophthalmologist informed me I have bubble cataracts. I never thought that evidence that my body is aging and deteriorating would bring me joy, but today that's exactly what happened.
In Joyful, by Ingrid Fetell Lee, which Stacey Shubitz recommended when I interviewed her and Melanie Meehan on Chalk + Ink, I learned that there are certain shapes and objects that bring people joy such as, you guessed it, bubbles! Normally, when I meditate at home, my window looks out at the tree-covered horizon. There are no human-made light sources. That is not the case here at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. It's a harbor view which means lit up piers, police boats, flight towers. As I sat down to meditate, I thought I would close my eyes to distract myself from all the light. But when I took off my glasses (I am very nearsighted), bubbles surrounded me. Bubbles of white, green, gold, red, and blue light. Each bubble of light consisted of teeny, tiny bubbles. Some flashed-the flight towers, some drifted-the boats, and some anchored the view. I felt as if I was a character inside Christina Soontornvat's A Wish in the Dark. It's going to be a bubbly weekend.
7 Comments
3/17/2023 07:38:31 am
I have cataracts, too, but I didn't find the joy as you have. Thanks for this upbeat and beautiful post. I need to see my own sight from a different perspective.
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3/17/2023 01:14:36 pm
Hi Margaret,
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Glenda M. Funk
3/17/2023 03:44:35 pm
I commend you for finding the positive in what normally is a negative diagnosis. I had cataract surgery last year, and it went horribly wrong. It did make me grateful for what little vision I have, but I’m still dealing w/ the collateral damage more than a year later. I hope for you the cataract life continues to bring happy bubbles.
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3/17/2023 08:37:39 pm
Hi Glenda,
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3/17/2023 07:14:41 pm
Your description of the bubbles—and your connection to A Wish in the Dark—definitely shows the beauty that surrounds us (even in unfortunate situations) if we just slow down and look.
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3/17/2023 08:40:12 pm
Hi Sarah,
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Celia Fisher
3/19/2023 02:22:46 am
Wow bubble cataracts. I never thought anyone would see the positive in that. My husband has had cataracts in both eyes, no bubbles, both operated on, so he can see a lot better now. Thanks for sharing how happy those bubbles made you feel.
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Slice of Life ChallengeMy 2023 one little word goal is PLAY. So, one of the ways I'm playing is by joining in the Two Writing Teachers' Slice of Life Story Challenge. My first post will be March 1st. Happy reading! ArchivesCategories |