Nearly 100 years old
Macular degeneration stolen sight
Ears failing
trapped in a blurry, muzzy world
When I am his age
will the genetics he passed along
place me in his world?
Will I be able to do what I love without sight or sound?
So I practice
typing this poem without my glasses.
Hoping for the best
like aging.
Shawn L. Bird 
I can relate … empathy only comes with understanding.
Today I took him to see my daughter, and he was frustrated because he can no longer make out her face.
I nominated you for an award. You don’t have to accept it, just wanted you to know I think you’re awesome! http://throughthefogpoetry.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/304/
Thank you for the compliment. I will gratefully decline, as per my blog award policy.
Yet at nearly 100 years (!) old, he is still very much alive. Some get macular degeneration much earlier. I have some hearing loss. Even as our windows to the world blur, we need to keep open hearts to appreciate and respond through failing senses, develop an inner sense. If possible! Good to think about.
He developed macular degeration in his 80s. Even after- for about 10 years- he’d play table tennis. At the old folks home where he lives, he’s on the hockey team, and he’s the goalie. 🙂
Amazing!
thanks
Think this poem is beautifully weighted Shawn. ‘Hoping for the best like ageing’ — I guess that’s all we can really do. Thanks for the follow and look forward to reading more of your writing. When I see how well your blog is set out it encourages me to try and up my own game.
Thanks, Chris.
This resonates with me. I can definitely relate. Before my mother died she was nearly blind from diabetes. My Dad before he passed away from high blood pressure and stroke. I found out what it was like to lose part of my vision in 2008 at age 49 when I had a minor stroke. High blood pressure just like my Dad. For almost two years all I could see out of my left eye was light and dark. Also I learned that when you lose vision in one eye you lose depth perception. I understand the frustration of trying to see and can’t and nearly falling down the subway steps or stepping out in traffic and being yanked back by friends before I got killed. Finally in January 2010 I had retina surgery. My vision is better but not all that good. I’ve made adjustments. Every day when I wake up I thank God for what vision I do have. My heart goes out to anyone disabled by blindness. My prayers for your Dad. God Bless you and your family.
Thanks Deb. Dad’s mom had it, and I suspect I will get it, as will our kids. Luckily the research is moving forward all the time, and now early detection means preservation of sight. Dad’s is the kind that doesn’t alter with existing surgeries, as it’s to far gone- and at 100, he’s not a good surgical candidate!
Great one, Shawn. What Michael said. Empathy is where I go daily.
So important
beautiful, Shawn
Thanks
My Mom passed away two years ago and she had Macular degeneration, too…it was hard giving up driving, but she had my Dad to lean on…I’ve often wondered the same things, Shawn. But she lived to be 90 and my Dad, bless his soul, is still driving at 94! So longevity runs in our family and I only hope my sisters and I are as lucky…beautiful poem..
Blessings on your dad! Mine hasn’t driven for 20 years or so. As we were out yesterday, and he was having trouble telling the difference between my green VW Beetle and a red Honda, he wondered how he’d drive these days. lol It doesn’t bear imagining. 🙂