Blessings.Burden. Brillance.

As we left the Moran Eye Center, I told Steve isn't it interesting that after 28 years, the visit to the opthalmologist still can feel a little/at times a lot burdensome inspite of the brillance and blessings in my life.   For me personally, it often is a time of mixed emotions.  As mentioned earlier, I had wondered and hoped that the extra cloudy/blurry vision in my 3 degrees (about the size of a nickel) of vision was due to cataracts or macula edema (two secondary issues that can be treated.)  Confirmed not the case today. The cataracts are there but not necessary with the RP to be removed yet. After testing it was confirmed that the vision issues were degeneration from retinitis pigmentosa, and I was encouraged to use eye drops before and after our bike rides for the dry eye.   Amongst the discussion of RP degeneration, there was also talk about places explored, careers, and other adventures with the Dr. and friends at the Moran Eye Center.  I spent 7-8 years of my career there, and some of these dear people followed  my children growing up.  I have sat on the other side in supporting patients who have been in this chair.   Later as I walked to the mailbox at my office, such a sweet surprise from  dear friends was waiting.  Amazing.  I was touched by the kindness, the generosity, the warmth, the love of someone across the world who I feel so connected to.  At that moment another woman in Australia understood so deeply what my world looked and felt like.  Truly a sweet moment of beauty in the world.  She graciously sent a hat for me, a hat for Steve (modeled by Cricket), and an adorable kangaroo with his cricket attire and a kind note that a colleague read to me!  Very special and such a blessing in my life.  Thank you dear friend .

Another colleague took a quick photo in the breakroom, and we treasured the moment.  I loved this dear friend/colleagues joy in my receiving this package.  Such a great example of a dear friend celebrating both my joyful and burdensome moments.  My life as each of yours is rich with brillance, blessings and burdens.  I am grateful for this day that I found myself savoring that foggy three degrees of vision just a little bit more.  A client asked me later in the day -- now what does Cricket do?  I explained some of her highlights.   He acknowledged - wow, she is a blessing to you.  Yes, a brillant blessing indeed.   I recognized again, that those burdens are also a blessing.  The power of the stretch is living.