It's Always Something

There comes a time when you really do start looking back. Back over the years, your beginnings, your growing up years, entering the adult stages of life, getting married, having children, all of it is what makes you who you are today. Building on these stages is the reality of who you are, how you are, and what you are meant to be.

Eye exams and hearing tests

My school days always involved eye exams, the dreaded school eye chart tests, and I never fared well. I also had many hearing tests, sitting in the isolated cubicle hoping I was responding appropriately, never really sure if I was or not. I was never really getting anywhere with the hearing challenges, just getting by.

Adatping to visual and audio challenges

I got pretty good at adapting. If I couldn’t see it, move closer. If I couldn’t hear it, avoid interaction to never have to admit you really didn’t. For years, this is how I existed. Looking back, I realize how much I missed out on. I skipped live productions of any kind, couldn’t really follow along, so I kept my eyes averted, leading others to believe that I wasn’t interested or involved. It took years before I admitted to myself that something had to change. Thankful it did.

Hearing aids and cataract surgery opened up my world

A thorough hearing evaluation in my early 40’s finally brought the help I needed. The first pair of hearing aids and my world opened up. This was also the year of my cataract surgery, my vision was greatly improved. I was a new person. The world was really at my fingers tips, and I was finally back in control. I jumped into new days and excitement with confidence.

Total knee replacement

Into my late 40’s and early 50’s my arthritis’ intensity increased. I had worked as a lunch lady for 15 years, many long hours on tough concrete that totally blew my knees out. At age 54 I had a total knee replacement on both knees, within 3 months of each other. I called it my “buy one get one free”, procedures, helping to hit the deductible for the year. Recovery from all of this was long and arduous, with many months of physical therapy to help heal both. It also helped that I was able to retire from my lunch lady job.

MMD became the latest challenge

As I was settling into a pretty nice groove of retirement, I was enjoying a definitely different pace. Traveling more than we had ever done, watching the kids find their way in the world, rediscovering old passions, and really in a good place. But life had a twist coming. MMD became the latest challenge to add to my plate. A new difficulty to try and combat. Just one more thing on my list of life.

These challenges shape who I am

As I look back over all of these challenges, I realize they have made me who I am today. Although they are definitely a challenging assortment of maladies (not life-threatening by any means) the combination makes life interesting. Ultimately, these experiences have made me what I am today and with that knowledge I am forging on, day by day.