Nini’s Eyes Broken
Eyes getting you down?
I know I am the one speaking about hope through sight loss and teaching others how to use technology to get information you want, but the reality of this degenerative condition keeps me current to the very core of our business. It keeps me on my own hope journey.
Recently I arranged to spend some alone time with my granddaughter. I planned to pop into the local clothing store to buy a pair of slippers for her and then head next door for a milkshake.
On my own, I would rely on a helpful shop assistant and then a waitron and it would be a pleasant day out.
Well, the shop assistant saw me with a child and presumed I was helping the little one. When I asked for help, she took us to the right place and disappeared. Our delightful 2-year-old began sedately. We found the right size, but not the right product. Our concentration span was quickly consumed, and she got distracted by the surrounding intrigues and started pulling pretty clothes off the hangers. She knows her colours and that ‘Nini’s eyes are broken’ so I made it into a game to find blue (her size) labels. My phone was speaking all the text it saw, making the situation worse and leaving me one handed.
Eventually I was sitting on the floor with her on my lap, trying the slipper on one foot while she seemed to grow another 4 limbs like an octopus, reaching for my white cane one side, the nearest dress on the other side and toes reaching for other shoes hanging up. It was hilarious and impossible.
I got up, picked her up, collected my cane and walked away from the product carnage left in the kids’ corner. I waved apologetically to the cashier as we escaped towards a pink milkshake.
I won’t begin on that chapter here, but all in all it was quite traumatic for me, a little unsettling for her and a good lesson in realising I cannot be a ‘normal granny’.
I am not sure why I put myself up to this as any shopping under pressure is difficult when I can’t see sizes, labels, prices or find the shop assistants.
I felt down about my eyes all over again. I am grateful I could speak about it to my best friend (who happens to be my hubby). We discussed more helpful ways in which I could show love to the little ones and change the rules of engagement.
Baby-sitting is best done in my own environment, with as few variables as possible.
Yesterday, I got to cuddle our ill grandson and he had a good hour nap on my chest. His warm snuffles and dummy-sucking noises were like soothing music to my soul. I got to look up, be grateful for an hour well spent in loving, taking a rest for myself and being present for this little man when he needed it. It did not require eyes … and we both left with our emotional tanks fuller.
What are the things that get you down? Are you able to change the ‘rules of the game to make it more manageable?
