It's the little things.

What?

 

A simple four letter word that became the bain of my existence. We are all able to make choices in our life about most things except: your relatives, your mate's relatives and your genetics.

 

I'm cursed with the blind and deaf genes. I had hoped to beat them by taking care of my eyes and ears as best I could but time and genetics won. For the last three years, my use of the word "what?" had increased and I was angry with my body for failing.

 

I don't feel old enough to need glasses, or hearing aids, or canes, or -- or -- and on. But the reality is I am genetically inclined to all of the above. So, four years ago, I had a hearing test and, sure enough, I had a moderate hearing loss in one ear and mild in the other. Unfortunately, I also had an empty bank account.

 

Four years down the road and another test to find out my 'moderate' loss had become severe in one ear and moderate loss in the other. Only this time, I had better insurance and enough set aside to pay for the electronic ears I needed to stop saying 'what?'

 

Let me tell you, I'd forgotten how much I wasn't hearing. Now I'm not so sure I want to wear the little devils all the time. But that is a good thing... at least now, I have a choice. Take the time to listen to the thing you love the most.

 

Sable