40 Days of Throwback Thanks: Day 14 [My Mythical Year]

See my post here for more information on My Mythical Year.

 

40 Days of Throwback Thanks

Day 14

I had one of those moments today.  One of those moments of overwhelming thankfulness to God.  One of those caresses of the overwhelm that brought tears over something so simple that most take it for granted.

Not I, said Auntie.

It's late evening.  I'm sitting on the couch finishing up a book I'd started months ago, listening to quiet instrumental Christmas music, sipping on leftover coffee from this morning's pot, and it hit me.  As I kept reading, the words blurred on the page as joyful tears spilled down my face.

Reading.  I'm so thankful to God for reading.  But not just any reading--I was reading normal print in a normal book like everyone else.  Yes, I've been able to do that for years now, but for some reason, the wondrous grace of God's healing gift took me over.

Those of you who've read my blog for any length of time, know that I'm always very thankful for the ability to read.  However, the story behind it is not quite as simple as understanding words on a page.  I learned to read simple words by the time I was four years old, most likely after my first eye surgery.  So, knowing how to interpret words on paper was never my problem; actually seeing the words to interpret them was my biggest issue.

I went through grade school, high school, and undergraduate school relying heavily on audio forms of reading and large print materials.  Trying to decipher standard print was a headache-inducing nightmare. 

After being diagnosed with glaucoma in the early 90's and finding the right treatments for it, things slowly started to improve.  Less pressure on my optic nerve meant better focus and less pain.  Eventually, I was able to love reading physical books again.

I know I've only scratched the surface of my story, but anyone who grew up with me knows the magnitude of this miracle and why I am so thankful.  Yes, I sill enjoy audiobooks and the occasional large print selection when my eyes are tired from being in front of a computer screen all day.  However, those are mere supplements.

Reading.  Today, I am thankful for reading.

Today's Throwback Thanks goes to every library and librarian I've ever come in contact with.  From the school library to the Little Free Libraries, from Jacksonville (AL) Public Library to Jefferson County (CO) Library, I am grateful.

40 Days of Throwback Thanks: Day 13 [My Mythical Year]

See my post here for more information on My Mythical Year.

 

40 Days of Throwback Thanks

Day 13:

Some days things don't go well.  Like day seven, today was one of those days.  However, I am thankful that if I'm not feeling well, I can allow myself to take a sick day, rest, and take whatever measures I need to get well.   I'd had a bad headache since yesterday afternoon and it was not any better this morning, plus I didn't sleep well.  I had two choices:  go to work, be miserable, and get no work done, or stay home and take care of myself.  It really was a hard choice.  I've only taken sick leave one other time for actual physical sickness.  All the other times have been for doctor's appointments.  I hate being sick.  I hate missing work for anything that's not life threatening.  However, I knew that I'd made the right choice.  Today, I'm also thankful for warm blankets, flavored coffee, hot baths, and Excedrin. 

40 Days of Throwback Thanks: Day 11 [My Mythical Year]

See my post here for more information on My Mythical Year.

 

40 Days of Throwback Thanks

Day 11

• The beginning of the Advent season is always something for which to be thankful.
• Very thankful for no snow this weekend so I didn't have to miss another church service.
• Thankful for Pastor Robert's message.
• After church, I was invited to lunch by a friend I met at the Tuesday morning Bible Study I attended before I started working at CCU.  I'm thankful to have maintained and continued to grow this friendship.
• After lunch, I spent a couple of hours with Annie, my sister-in-blog, and her family.  Thankful for great adult conversation mixed with the laughter of children.  Thankful for the hugs of friends and baby hugs with I love yous.
• I'm thankful for my sister, Clara.  We had our normal no-holds-barred phone conversation while I did laundry and put up my Christmas tree.  We can truly talk to each other about anything and we laugh about everything.

Today's Throwback Thanks goes to the late Dr. John Reaves, my childhood eye doctor.  As much as I loathe going to the eye doctor, Dr. Reaves' gentle manner and hearty laugh made the experience less unbearable.  I'm thankful that he didn't make empty promises or lofty guarantees to my parents like some of his contemporaries did.  I'm also thankful that he knew when he needed the expertise of fellow ophthalmologists to help preserve, and later restore, much of my sight.  He never treated me like a number, annoyance, or freak.  He always treated me with kindness.