Most of my photos look better enlarged - just click on the photo to do this



Saturday 31 December 2016

One year ends and another begins


It's the last day of 2016 and thoughts turn to what has happened during the year.  Others have written far more eloquently than I could about the events on the world stage so I won't say more on that subject but for me on a personal level this year has been about the eyes!

It's been a roller coaster year as I had an eye operation at Easter and then a second one at the beginning of October and have gone through the gamut of emotions after each ranging from fear and anxiety, frustration and despair to joy and immense gratitude.  There were times when I was on top of the world as my sight was so much improved and moments when I was in the Slough of Despond when I lost my faith in eventual recovery and even, dare I say it, in the wonderful surgeon I have been seeing.   I developed blepharitis and later an allergy to the drops which left me with a horrid red, scaly rash round the eye and then when I thought I was out of the woods with the first eye and just about to have the second one done, a broken blood vessel which left me with a bloodshot area on the newly pristine eye surface which I worried about.  I also hadn't realised that the pterygia could be cancerous which they weren't but of course I worried about that too!  However all is well and I am gradually reducing the eyedrops and am to see the surgeon again in February when I should have finished them altogether.  I am hopeful that this will be the end of the story.

I have learned a lot over the past year and had plenty of time for reflection not being able to see to read, do any crafting or even watch television some of the time and I realised that there is more to sight than being able to see - that is just the mechanics of it - how and what I see has changed the way I think and the way I see things is about who I am.  I have been given the precious gift of clear sight again and an unexpected extra gift - that of a new lease of life!  Now that I can see better I feel different - younger at heart and once again the capable person I used to be and for that I will be eternally grateful.  Every time I thread a needle to do some stiutching I marvel at the skill of the surgeon - I bet he didn't lick the thread to get it through the eye of the needle (at least I hope not!) nor say "That'll do" if the stitching wasn't quite right!!

My mantras for 2017 are:

One of a couple of little tiles on the shed wall
Carpe Diem for I intend to use whatever life I have left in the best way and not waste it on complaining, or procrastinating as I have been doing.


Accentuate the positive for I have been guilty of negativity and complaining instead of seeing the wonder of life which is now there for me to see if only I take notice.

Now that I can see to read I have been making up for lost time getting through several books a week and have just finished one I can recommend to you:  The Outrun by Amy Liptrot which is a life affirming read about the power of Nature to heal even though the author didn't seek nor expect Nature to heal her alcohol addiction.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2017

11 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you have your sight back Jane......wishing you a very happy 2017!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's good to hear what others have learned about life when they have gone through trials. Thank you for sharing your insights Jane. I know once when I went to the eye doctor he had an instrument that showed the eye up close (can't remember exactly what it was)and I just marveled at how intelligent God's design is! I know I would be lost without my eyesight, as like you, I love to craft and read. I am glad your eyes have improved. The best to you and your husband in 2917! I think of you now and then, I've always enjoyed your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy and Healthy New Year wishes Jane. Glad to hear your eyesight is now on the up! All the best,

    ReplyDelete
  4. So good to hear that things are brighter, in more ways than one, for you. Sight is such an amazing gift. Sadly my husband is on the verge of losing his and this is a new chapter for us.
    We should, as you say, realise that life is here for us to make thee most of in every moment.
    Happy and peaceful new year wishes to you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so glad to read that you can now read again, it must have been a very worrying time for you. Onward and upward!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm so happy to see a post from you again MJ! It seems I can only visit your blog from a notification of a new post, not from comments you leave with me. Wonderful that you can do all the things you love again. Will certainly look for that book! Am reading one about nature myself that you might enjoy --- Lab Girl by Hope Jahren.
    Great mantras. With each passing year (and they seem to go by at warp speed now!)I'm very aware that I'm running out of sand. I hope you squeeze every drop of joyful living out of 2017!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jane, what an uplifting post to read. I had not quite realised what an annus horribilis you have endured but it sounds like it's given you a real boost for 2017. Your philosophy for tackling daily life has now got another convert. I'll be joining you with that carpe diem mantra. I am reminding myself daily how interesting it is to observe things closer. Last night I was outside for ages watching Venus in the night sky. It is so clear to see just below the moon and these crisp clear nights are the best for stargazing. Small things but they make me feel whole. I also read The Outrun and thought it such a powerful read, especially the bits about the Scottish night skies! Have a great 2017 and hope to catch up with you this year xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm so glad that you are ending the year of treatment for your eyes. Vision is such a precious gift. As you move into 2017, I hope that each day holds much joy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so happy that your vision is restored Jane! I hope your year ahead is healthy and happy! x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello Jane, have a Merry Christmas. We celebrated early with visiting family and now I won't know what to do with myself on Christmas day! I envy your mild weather! And Happy New Year!

    บุนเดสลีกา

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, absolutely fantastic blog. I am very glad to have such useful information.

    หนัง Animation

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting and I hope you have found what you read of interest. Do please leave a comment as I love to hear what you think.