Spring has Sprung

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 cold and dreary days last forever. I find myself constantly checking the calendar, marking off each day until it happens. March 20th proclaimed the new season when spring has sprung.

It is time for vibrant colors

I missed the springtime. Its vibrant colors slowly evolving from the darkness of winter, bringing out the promise of warmer weather and brighter days. With those warmer days, more time can be spent outside, ogling in its splendor. I love soaking up the sun and watching the buds on the trees popping open with the guarantee of new leaves. Unfortunately, no matter what, I need to step so much closer to clearly see what I want to see.

Ready for the new season

Tiny sprouts are beginning to burst through the grounds, with a hint of color hiding in their blooms. Green grass growing so quickly, trying desperately to catch up after such long, dormant winter months. The trees become bustling bird-hotels, those calls filling the air, each resounding series of chirps echoing as they begin the courting season. Yes, I am ready for this springtime.

To be able to see it all

The frustrating challenges of myopic degeneration vision are so prevalent during these times. I just want to be able to enjoy all of these wonderful new joys of the season like I used to. Looking up and marveling at the new leaves or the noisy birds in the trees, being able to know immediately what I am seeing. Glancing at the flowers blooming, catching their brilliant colors, and instantly identifying them.

Stepping closer, squinting more

Instead, I find myself stepping just a little bit closer, squinting a little bit more, and peering a lot longer to clearly focus on these springtime views. With each passing day, I notice how closely I need to focus on my surroundings. I hold them close to my heart as to not lose them. Imprint them in my mind where they can never leave, forever remembered as they were. Ensuring that I will always be able to see them, one way or the other.

Spring fever

Mark Twain once said, “It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heartache, you want it so.” Clearer vision is what I want, probably more than I can say. But like spring fever, that vision is just beyond my grasp, causing an almost painful yearning at times. With windows open and springtime breezes flittering in, the scent of this new season fills the rooms.

Allergies begin

Springtime allergies often accompany those breezes and pollen begins to collect and cover all that it can. Sneezing and sniffling puffy eyes and wheezing abruptly introduces a not so cheerful view of this season. With it, a shift in sentiment arrives, windows are slammed shut, antihistamines administered, and I do my best in shuttering this springtime nuance away.

The view ahead

With each of my retinal specialist visits, I find that same feeling of shuttering away of feelings. Injections or not, I know I am on the right path to maintaining the vision I do have. Nothing is gained by longing for what used to be, and so much more is gained by looking at what is ahead.