Seasons of Change

I went to the optometrist the other day..... almost sounds like the beginning of a bad joke.  I sat in 'the chair' and the doc began with the usual questions I know he repeats day in and day out. "Have you noticed a change in your eye sight?" "How are your contacts, glasses?" For a brief moment I had considered saying - nothing has changed at all. I was gonna lie but I knew he would find out the truth. So I answered, "I have noticed a change." Almost a dramatic one at that, which I didn't share with him.  He went through his exam,"What is better? A or B. This one or that one. First or Second." As I answered there was a periodic 'hmmm', 'ok'  - on the other side of his instruments. Kind of freaky really. After all was said and done, the doc looks at me and says, "There has been a significant change in your eye sight, especially up close."  My heart sank. My mind raced. My blood pressure rose. I felt faint.  At that moment he said that I would need some kind of progressive lenses.  In layman terms - bifocals. Ever see the point of the movie where everything seems to slow down and the person speaking sounds like an echo only in slow motion. Well that happened to me!   I asked, "Does that mean I have to wear old man glasses? No offense sir, it just I am not ready to wear glasses that have distinct lines on my eye wear!" *sigh* "Can I get a second opinion?" He looked surprised  and actually laughed at me. Really, what kind of etiquette is that?  "Do you perform laser surgery??"  I knew he didn't but I was grasping for anything that was a sign of hope. The only hope he had to offer me was a prescription called 'Progressive lens' - no  glasses with distinct lines that old men wear. I am only 46 yrs old. I don't need old man glasses, bring on the progressives!

Seasons of change. I still feel like I am in my 20's but to reluctantly admit  there are something I can no longer do. To brag a little; when I was in high school I was able to one step and grab the rim of a basketball net. Yes at regulation height. Today, I can barely reach half way up the mesh.;  I was able to run a 49 - 50 sec 400 meter sprint. Today I wouldn't even think of doing the 60 meter dash. Volleyball! I love volleyball. I was able to play 2 positions at once. There were things that I did that sent a WOW vibrating  through  the crowd. Things I did  made me want to take notes on myself! Sheesh even 10 years ago I could almost do that.  However, today its a totally different matter. All I have are memories.

Most recent is my back. I sent my back into almost violent spasms on a return trip with my  family from my home rez. It was a simple task of putting a 5 lb. bag of ice into our cooler.  That was mid- August. Today, a month later the lingering effect are still evident. Don't ask just believe me. My body is changing.

There are many things that are changing. It is a cycle of life we all will go through. I look outside and the trees in this part of Ontario are in the midst of change. The leaves on certain trees are changing colour and soon they will no longer bear the markings that distinguish one species from another. Yet, unlike us the trees will sprout a new clothing of leaves in 7-8 months time. I,  however,  am going to have to adapt to my changes. A better diet, less junk food,  a few more exercises. No let me rephrase that- I have to start exercising PERIOD. Perhaps even a better sleep pattern. Why adapt?  I want to see my children go through their seasonal; permanent changes. I want to rejoice in their accomplishments and cheer them on in their rough times; cry with them when they hurt and laugh with them when they don't.

I went to the optometrist the other day..... almost sounds like the beginning of a bad joke. The joke was on me. Not a bad one but one of reality. Seasons of change.  Just remember it is something we all go through. Each of us will handle it differently. As for my progressive lens, I have to laugh, because it was a few short years ago I laughed at my peers who had to get them. On final though it is a bad joke indeed!

Chi-Meegwetch

Baamaapii