What's happening with my eyes?

I was trying to read some tiny numbers on top of some thermostats at the office a few weeks ago and was having a devil of a time.

"These are impossible to read," I said.  "And why the hell are they blurry?"

The closer I got, the blurrier they looked.  Then I started to back away.

"Wait a minute," I said.  "Now I can see them."  At that point I was standing about a foot and a half away.

"Try these," offered Maryellen.

She reached over and gave me her reading glasses to put on.

"HOLY S#&T!" I yelled.


It was like the clouds parted and the sun came out to reveal a perfectly gorgeous day, complete with fine details, letters and numbers that were absolutely in focus.  I was shocked.


I need glasses, I thought to myself, absolutely dumbfounded after having lived most of my life with 20/20 vision.


When I was a kid, I longed for glasses, so much so that I attempted to cheat on my eye exam.  He saw right through me.

So, after making this startling discovery, I ran out and bought myself a pair of reading glasses that I now use to read before going to bed at night.  I naively thought that would be all I needed.  I was wrong.

Driving to Edmonton and Calgary last week, I found myself straining to read the detail on signs off in the distance.  Sitting in some training this week, I had to squint to make out the smaller words on the PowerPoint presentation.  The full moon in the sky is no longer a crisp circle; it all of a sudden has very fuzzy edges.

I'll be seeing my first optometrist  in over 40 years in a couple of weeks.  I'm guessing that I am going to be told that I need to get some bi-focals.  In some way, I'm looking forward to finally getting my wish to wear glasses.  In another way, I'm feeling rather older than I was before.

On a positive note, I think I will look rather handsome with glasses on.  At least, that's what I'll keep telling myself.


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