Taking the Sunglasses Off

The doctor told me in order to protect my vision; I should always wear sunglasses whenever I am outside.  So, I left his office and went to Walmart to get the darkest clip-on’s I could find. I also bought a prescription pair of sunglasses so I will always have sunglasses whenever I need them.  They are massive- sort of like Jackie O’s- she was always in style, right?

So, as you can see- I am inclined to do what the doctor tells me to do.  However, I also believe I must live my own life, make my own choices as it is my life.  Therefore, when I have to see everything, for the beauty of it all, I will go against his orders and live my life.

So far, here are some times that I took the sunglasses off:

A secluded beach in Australia- the water as blue, turquoise as I’ve ever seen- It was magical- It still brings me bliss just the thought of its beauty

Taking pictures of Koalas. To see them in the trees, grazing, sleeping was a once in a lifetime chance for me.       Side notes, we took a tour on Kangaroo Island and we saw Koalas, Kangaroos, sea Lions and wallabies- totally work the money for me.  Also , koala’s are marsupials,  NOT koala bears- Aussies don’t like it when you call them bears- I learned that the hard way!

A couple of the street art walls in Melbourne.

 The Sydney Opera House.

Firestone, Colorado- I saw 3 bald eagles sitting on utilities poles,  2 on one pole and the third on the next pole.

After a big snow storm, I was driving to Wyoming and the snow was piled high. The sun had melted the snow just a little and on the hillsides, the snow looked like rolling clouds.  The hills were glistening as if angels or fairies had sprinkled their magic dust.

While my husband was taking a graduation picture of our daughter- the backdrop was the Rocky Mountains. To see her and the mountains in all of their beauty will bring me joy for the rest of my life.

This too, is a list I will visit and write about often on my journey to blindness. I believe life’s joys are meant to be seen, heard and felt to the fullest, sometimes with consequences- that’s part of the uncertainty, adventure and it makes for great storytelling material.

What did you see today?

Janice Ekholt