Debbie Havens

I have distinct memories of meeting my mother-in-law over 37 years ago. In 2014, she passed away, but the memories of her have a way of popping up even after...

I love to listen to music, of almost any kind, except for rap. But mostly, I prefer music with a gentle story, a message, catchy tune, and intriguing harmony. County...

Once upon a time... This story started in 1959. In St. Louis, Missouri, a little girl was born into a family with a Mom and Dad. By the time she...

My days are not very exciting... Being retired for almost eight years, a routine of sorts has come into being. No more setting a ridiculously early alarm clock, no more...

"A few bad chapters does not mean your story is over." I read this line a couple of days ago and cannot let it go. We all have our story...

Reflection. My thinking one day brought this particular word to the forefront of my mind. All of this was centered on what we can see. The many definitions of reflection...

Macular Degeneration has a way of taking over my days sometimes. Be it the beginning of a day and struggling to get the clasp lined up on a necklace or setting...

This month’s visit to the Retinal Specialist was its own kind of “special.” Having become almost used to this routine visit and not really paying much attention, I was signing...

Reaching out to others on the forum page is so helpful for me. Hearing the stories that others share as I go through my own personal journey with myopic degeneration...

In the six weeks in between each of my Retinal Specialist appointments, I am constantly checking. And rechecking, daily. How does the eye chart look today? Any new obscuring blobs...

When that moment hits, I just have to go with it. I typically reach for a fresh, clean piece of paper or if the project warrants it, a brand new...

A whole year later and COVID-19 is still a thing. Emphasis on masking, social distancing, and super vigilant handwashing has become our way of life over this calendar year. Spending...

The seasons, at times, seem to drag along, the 30-day or so months feel like 60 days or more at times. Especially the winter months in the great Midwest, those...

March of 2019 was the beginning of my new way of living. That is, of course, when I found out I was living with myopic degeneration. There had been signs...

Life with grandchildren is always an adventure. I have found with each additional grandchild, I am certainly not the same parent-type as I was with our own children. Interacting with...

December is quickly ending. This in-between week from Christmas to New Year’s Day has a sense of “what next” to it. The Covid-19 restrictions have certainly put a damper on...

I started this journey in late 2018, early 2019. Somehow those years have slipped by really quickly. A situation that I had not anticipated at all snuck up on me...

I still feel as though I am navigating the early stages of this diagnosis of myopic macular degeneration. It has “only” been about a year and a half have since...

Looking back on my growing up years (something I do a lot in now that I am retired), seeing the snow coming down would be so exciting. Wondering how much...

Do you remember much from back in your childhood? I do. I remember there were so many wonderful things, toys, and adventures, the perfect combination for endless fun growing up...