About 20 years ago, I started wearing “readers,” those little eyeglasses with magnifying lenses that have become absolutely necessary for me to function if I want to read…anything…and do…almost everything else, within a foot of my face.
I started
with a strength of 1.0; although I resisted, over time I moved up in increments
of .25 until I got to a 2.0. From there – based on what the store had in stock
– I jumped to a 2.5, although I found myself still squinting until I finally succumbed
to a 3.0 and boy...what a game changer!
Because I
need these glasses so often and misplace them just as much, I have a bunch and
place them all over: by my bed, on
my desk, in the kitchen drawer, in my purse, in my car. I pick them up
whenever I see them at a good price and they fit well, whether at the dollar
store, Barnes & Noble or CVS and, most recently, in a pack of 3 at Whole
Foods.
Last week, as I was going through my greeting card stash to find a sentiment
that I wanted to give David for his birthday, I reached for a pair of glasses
on my desk. I put them on, and everything c h a n g e d.
Within
seconds, I could not see normally. I got dizzy and lost my balance. I was
afraid I was going to faint. Maybe, I thought, I was in the midst of a stroke.
Pay
attention to the details, I told myself, in case they are important when I get to the hospital.
I leaned
against my desk, took off my glasses and 30 seconds later, I felt better. I was eager to discount that bizarre experience - assuming it wouldn't repeat itself - so I went downstairs to reset, starting with a glass of water.
After a few
minutes, I went back upstairs, put the glasses on again and started looking
through the cards for the second time.
But, it started to happen again! That very disturbing
sensation returned, and I went immediately into panic mode…I wondered…Is the
end of the line for me?
I took the
readers off once more and was blinded by the glare of the sunlight on one of the lenses…but
not on the other.
That’s when
I realized that one of the lenses had fallen out of the frame! This meant I was
trying to look through a pair of glasses with a large magnifier on one lens and
no lens at all for the other eye.
No wonder I
couldn’t see straight when I had them on!
Why I didn’t
figure that out but instead assumed I was on my way out, is beyond me.
For some
reason, ever since I turned 60, I jump to scenarios that are unnecessarily extreme...yet another reality of aging.
What happened to you was not a sign of aging, stupid things happen no matter what's your age! Thinking you're getting older leads to one actually starting to act older. I know you, and you are still a sassy as ever.
ReplyDeleteSassy yes, but also realistic! You'll let me know if I start acting like an old lady, won't you?
DeleteLOL oh Jewel!!!
ReplyDeleteOh Allison!
DeleteMy first thought was why you don’t just go to the eye doctor and get prescription glasses. Have you had your eyes checked lately? If you’re up to a 3.0 you might need glasses.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to say that I laughed a little when you said that one of the lenses was missing. I was happy you were in good health and then I just pictured you sitting there with one lens out of your readers😊. Luckily you had many other pairs laying around so you could just grab one of those and get right back to searching for the perfect birthday card for David.
Funny that you brought up the eye doctor. I actually thought she'd tell me it's time to wear prescription glasses all the time now, given I just got them last year to wear for distance and at night. But she said as long as these work for me and I don't mind taking them on and off, it's fine. I'm glad you laughed about my lenses; I could poke fun of myself all day long (and if I don't, David does).
DeleteOh my word! I always jump to the worst conclusion whenever something is wrong with me. I have to make myself stop googling whatever ailment I have ;).
ReplyDeleteHi Colleen! I always want to google my ailments too but force myself not to sometimes so I don't end up even more depressed!
Delete