Sunday, January 6, 2019
Perspective
How remarkable and lovely life is for the fortunate who can see.
Let us not forget it.
My older sister Lorette has had severe Macular Degeneration for over 20 years, she is now, virtually blind. She was always extremely independent, organized and a very proud woman. Lorette was an avid reader and a passionate gardener. Her love of bright colours showed in her various knitting patterns. Her family and friends always enjoyed her beautifully presented, healthy, tasty, cooking.
Fortunately, family, friends and social workers helped her to deal with her impairment.
She now has an insight and appreciation for so many things about daily life that we take for granted, yet she is not left bitter.
I wanted to understand her handicap and relate to her condition, so, I blindfolded myself. The first thing I noticed was that my senses became sharpened.
Listening to Oscar Peterson play the piano, every single note was so extremely clear and melodic. Even though I had heard Oscar Peterson play many times before it all seemed that this time, he was playing just for me.
Still blindfolded, I managed to open my balcony door to inhale the scent of my beautiful garden now in full bloom. The intense aroma went through my nostrils sending me on a high like I had never before experienced.
I sat and petted my cat, noticing how her fur felt extra soft, like pure velvet. I touched her long prickly whiskers which gave me a strange tingly sensation.
It was a feeling I probably would never have experienced otherwise. The purring sounded much more seductive even romantic, like the music I enjoy by Enya (a melodic - Irish singer, songwriter and musician).
Eventually, the fear of being blind overcame me. The feeling was so intense, I felt as though I might be on the edge of an anxiety attack. The blindfold gratefully disappeared quickly from my face.
Now I could better understand and sympathize with my sister, having experienced a short period of sightlessness.
I remembered how she enjoyed reading, knitting and watching good movies. Now reading is a thing of the past. She must rely on so many people to help her in so many ways.
At times her heart must have cried out with longing to see her growing grandchildren. Lorette would know, only the pleasure of their touch, the sound of their voice, their scent, the varied texture of their skin and the feel of the hair on their head, but never the varied expressions on their face.
Watching Lorette has made me so much more aware of my surroundings. Her blindness has taught me to be more aware of all the senses that enable me to fully appreciate life.
Life is remarkable and lovely and our sight enriches it.
We should remember to appreciate it.
My dear sister died December 31, 2018. She was 92 years old. I am 83 and the last sibling left in the Filiatrault family.
