A Life Worthy

Tag: blindness

  • One-a-Day Wednesday, 12/31/14

    number 1The blind receive sight…  (Matthew 11:5)

    It snowed last night.

    This is not unheard of in our town, but it is rare—about once a year.  So, of course, everyone turned out into the streets to watch the snow fall and freeze our collective tucases (tucai?) off.

    As I stood looking up into the night sky I noticed that, while I could see the snow collecting on trees and cars and children, it was in fact too dark to see the snow falling.

    I could feel it.

    I could taste it—at least, I hope that was snow.

    But I couldn’t see it.

    Then I had one of those flashes of brilliance for which I am known throughout my living room.  I took my flashlight, aimed it at the sky, and clicked it on.

    Wow.

    The sky exploded—figuratively, not literally—with light.

    I could see each individual flake as it fell toward me.

    It was like white-hot sparks drifting down from some heavenly fire.

    It was like being in my very own ticker-tape parade.

    It was like travelling in the Enterprise at warp speed—geek brethren, can I get an “Amen”?

    It was glorious.  So I gave him glory.

    If someone had come to me at that moment and asked me to prove that what I held in my hand was a flashlight, it would have been simple.

    I could see.

    The Light came, and I could see.

    Enjoy the view today, Beloved.

  • Country of the Blind

    blindfold

    This vision/blindness theme really has a hold on me.

    My last post got me thinking about one of my all-time favorite stories, The Country of the Blind.  H.G. Wells wrote this tale of a man who finds himself trapped in a village that has been physically cut off from the outside world for centuries.  Over the years, the villagers have evolved a brutal congenital defect.

    They’re blind.

    All of them.

    Completely.

    Blind like—they’re born without eyes—that kind of blind.

    (more…)

  • Vision

    blindnessIn Iowa, it is legal for a blind person to carry a gun.

    Just…let that soak in for a moment.

    Now, I’m a big supporter of the Second Amendment, and I’m certainly against discrimination based on physical disabilities, but…seriously?  A blind person with a gun?  Immense power in the hands of one who has no means of directing it accurately or effectively could have significant and terrifying ramifications.

    I’m sure there’s a political aspect to this, but we won’t go there today. (more…)