(stock photo)
Today, I've been working
on an afghan I started to crochet in 2014. It's going to be about 36
x 36 inches. My intention when I began was to make it as baby blanket
that I would save to give as a gift at a later time.
My kink in that plan was
an unexpected bout with cataracts in both eyes. It caused me much
distress throughout 2015. I lived much of that year in fear. I just
didn't find it to be the easy surgery that everyone told me it would
be.
I needed to get into the
mindset for healing. At one point, I just literally gave up. I gave
all of my precious yarn to the local thrift store. I didn't think I
would ever touch it again.
Today, when I picked up
the old project, if was to prove to myself that I could still see in
enough detail that I could crochet. My vision is nowhere like it was
before cataracts, but I'm learning that if I stretch my hands out
and hold things at a farther distance that I used to that I can see
things better than up close. I'm learning to adapt.
The cataracts was very
hard for me because this was the year I turned 50. I felt old. I
felt defeated. And, to top it off, I was writing a book of faith
based prayers and affirmations.
To say the least, I felt
conflicted.
I found a way to push
through and found my way through to publication. I spent many hours
with my nose practically pushed against the computer monitor.
I never thought God would
abandon me.
God had me right where he
wanted me to be. I was doing my writing from home and was blessed
with a husband who is a wonderful caregiver. I had insurance that
covered most of the thousands of dollars for both surgeries. My
husband is blessed with an income that would cover the rest.
My 2015 was a year of
being tested and humbled over and over again.
I am thankful for the
growth and for the yarn project I saved in my throwing out frenzy.
I can see much better and
I can adapt with my crochet hook. I learned that fear about my eyes
could not defeat me with God standing near me.
Here's to a better 2016.
Thanks for reading.
Sherry
