“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

V is for...

Ordinary Lives. From a 2 z 4 u & me
Welcome to week TWENTY-TWO of my dear, dear friend Patty Wysong's From  A 2 Z 4 U and me. We're working through the alphabet - one letter each Tuesday. No rules, other than your post has to relate to the letter of the week. Link up at Ordinary Lives and check out everyone else's post. Click on the graphic above for more details, and stop by Patty's blog  to link up.

These seem to be getting harder and harder! I actually flipped through the dictionary (online, anyway), trying to find a good one for this letter. I briefly considered vacuum (my hate of them mostly, and how lonely ours is), vacation (how much I enjoy them), and "Valley Girl" (cuz I grew up as one). But they were discarded.

Then I remembered a "V word" that has a great impact on my life, especially over the past eight years. And that word is VISION.

My eyesight isn't the best - 20/400, to be exact. I've had glasses (or contacts - briefly, anyway) since sixth grade. My husband has been in corrective lenses since first grade. So, even before eight years ago, vision was an issue. We just assume our kids will eventually need glasses.

After his first brain surgery
But then in August of 2003, a tumor was found on my husband's brain, in the optic chiasm - where his two optic nerves meet. And his vision, in a word, decreased exponentially. He has no sight in one eye (though that eye is sensitive to light) and no peripheral vision in the other - about a 30 degree range of vision. He has other symptoms too (which I won't go into here), but this, I'm sure he'd agree, is the one hardest for him to cope with. He can't drive. He can't concentrate for very long without a headache. Bright colors overwhelm him. I think I'll stop there.


The patch helps with brightness
But God has been with us in so many ways during this journey. I could go on and on (and in fact do, in the book I've written on the topic - looking for an agent). Suffice it to say, he has shown Himself over and over, and we have been blessed through this trial. He has been our VISION through all this.

About five years ago (three year after Marc's turmor was found), I wrote a story for the FaithWriters writing challenge about sight and vision. While it isn't true, I don't think I could have written it if my husband and I hadn't been through what we did. Click here if you'd like to read "Crystal Clear." Even though it's one of my very early entries, it's probably one of my very faves.

So, that's my V. Be sure to stop by Peejers' blog for more V posts (and be back here for next week's - I already know what I'm doing with "W" :D).

Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

9 comments:

  1. Marc's story is so amazing. I'm glad you both have stuck with each other and grown closer together. Something like this could have separated you and has separated so many other couples, even less problems than this. Love you, Jo!!!

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  2. I agree with what Laury says- it's through God and your love for one another that keeps your marriage together. Eager to read the full story!

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  3. This was difficult to read, I lost my first husband because of a brain tumor. I'm so glad your story has a happy ending.
    Diana
    www.pencildancer.com

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  4. I had never read your entry "Crystal Clear." It's a great story, and so is your story of you and Marc. I pray that God will bring just the right agent and publisher into your life soon.

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  5. Praying that God prospers Ailing Body Nourished Soul according to His divine plan. I admire you and Marc so much! Hugs!

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  6. Blessings on you and Marc! It sounds like you've both been extraordinarily blessed already, but I know God's good things don't stop there!

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  7. Reading this reminds me of another v-word, victory. He's triumphantly handled vision challenges.

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  8. So glad that God's vision and focus never fail. The love between you and Marc is inspirational on so many levels. Thank you for being transparent and sharing with us :)

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  9. WOW, Joanne! Such an amazing testimony of love and covenant marriage! Bless you both!
    I have 20/400 vision as well, also since the 6th grade. Teachers sent me to the school nurse because I would read the chalkboard by pulling the skin at the outer corners of my eyes (flattened the cornea). *G*

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