Miracle

I returned for a follow-up appointment for my eye on Jan. 17, 2011. After tests and an exam, the doctor said, "You are one in a million! Your eye has greatly improved. The fluid behind the retina has dried up, and other blood vessels have compensated for the blocked vessel, and the retina is repairing itself." The improvement had been so gradual that I hadn't even noticed! My eye does not have 100% sight yet, but the doctor thinks the rest of my vision will gradually return over the next year. What a miracle! I began to wonder why I had been given this miracle. Why me? I pondered if I had done something to deserve this blessing. The answer was no. We do not EARN miracles. Then, I wondered if I needed my eye to accomplish something that I couldn't do without it. The answer was no. Then the thought came into my mind that I was given this miracle so that I would know I was loved -- by my Heavenly Father and all the people that offered prayers, best wishes, and kind thoughts in my behalf. This thought was accompanied by the sweetest feeling. The return of my eyesight was, pure and simple, a gift of love. Thank you all, not just for your prayers and kindnesses, but also for your loving hearts. Love is the miracle which begats all other miracles. "Where love is, there God is also."

Test First - Lesson Later

Life is the only school where the test comes first and then we learn the lesson. A friend shared this thought with me, and I have been pondering on it in light of the events of the past three months.

The test: I awoke the morning of November 11, 2010 with very little vision in my right eye. The opthomologist determined I suffered a stroke of the eye. A blood vessel to the center of the retina had plugged. There was nothing that could be done to reverse the damage. Just take pressure drops and aspirin. I asked if there was any chance my eye could get better, and the doctor said he knew of it to happen in very rare instances. In other words, it might, but don't plan on it. So began a new phase of my life as I adjusted to being a 'one-eyed' person. I asked people to pray for me, my name was added to the temple praye list, medical advice came from family and friends. My initial reaction was surprise, then shock, then sadness As all the intense feelings ebbed and flowed,I began to appreciate my left eye. Each morning upon awakening, I'd take a peek out of my left eye first. Gratitude and joy filled my soul because I still had vision in one eye. It was actually exciting. I could see! I was not totally blind! I was decidedly more grateful for one eye than I ever had been for two eyes. Lesson learned: Don't take things for granted. 'See' blessings each day. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Express gratitude often.

Boys Just Ain't What They Used To Be

I went to 6th grade in 1960 in the small farming community of Vale, Oregon. The boys my age talked about horses, trucks, cows, tractors, guns, hunting, fishing, sports, irrigating, motorcycles, etc.

It is now 2011, and I teach 6th grade. Following is an enlightening conversation I heard between two sixth grade boys last week:

Bryce to Jacob (who had his legs crossed) Hey, don't cross your legs.
Jacob: Why not?
Bryce: You'll get spider veins.
Jacob: (looking quite terrified) What are those?!?!
Bryce: OMG, don't you watch Dr. Oz?

I never thought I would live to see the day that 6th grade boys would be warning each other about getting spider veins.