Recovery
2024? Well, so far, so good.
On January 1 I began what I call a “retreat”. I knew I was going to have to take it easy a bit after eye surgery. No heavy lifting… So I decided I would change my routine and do my spiritual reading and meditation in the morning while I remastered simple Adobe Acrobat making pdf’s of my meditation subject of the day.
In my iBooks app I located Daily Light from the Celtic Saints (Ray Simpson) and away I went. I chose a quote from St. Paul for day one of my personal retreat:
this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15
Ray Simpson used a different source than I so my actual phrase was simpler than the above. Regardless, the thought expressed has defined my year so far. And so far, so good.
On January 2 I underwent cataract surgery for my right eye. When I got home, I pulled the bandage off the eye, cautiously washed the muck away, and headed outdoors.
A Saint Paul moment. I saw as I had never seen before. Through my right eye I could see the trees of the mountains so clearly I could count them. Details, beautiful details. Evergreen needles, lichen patterns on the rocks, peoples’ faces. I looked into eyes as I conversed with neighbours.
And on January 16, I underwent cataract surgery for my left eye, which was extremely short-sighted. Perspective! The ability to focus on my reading. Sight reading music in particular. And perspective in driving. No more seeing multiple headlights racing towards me in the left lane.
Not all perfection. I use a flashlight at night when adjusting baseboard heaters, and have learned to hold my camera at half arm’s length to see the focus in the screen. My vision may improve further as time progresses. And it may not.
I have lots of plans for Lent. After all it is already Septuagesima week. I am trying to reduce computer time. A war with myself that am making little headway as yet. How I admire Saint Paul.
