Today, just for variety, it’s an eye doctor appointment, reminding me of this Jackson Browne classic:

“Doctor, my eyes have seen the years
And the slow parade of fears without crying
Now I want to understand
I have done all that I could
To see the evil and the good without hiding
You must help me if you can

Doctor, my eyes, tell me what is wrong
Was I unwise to leave them open for so long?

‘Cause I have wandered through this world
And as each moment has unfurled
I’ve been waiting to awaken from these dreams
People go just where they will
I never noticed them until I got this feeling
That it’s later than it seems

Doctor, my eyes, tell me what you see
I hear their cries, just say if it’s too late for me

Doctor, my eyes cannot see the sky
Is this the price for having learned how not to cry?“

Songwriter: Jackson Browne. 

My wife knows the words to almost every song – even after hearing it just once. We call it the chip, something that constantly amazes me about her. I really never paid much attention to the lyrics, so when I include them in this blog it’s as if I’m hearing the song for the first time. Yes, I can recall familiar bits and pieces, but I would badly butcher it singing along. 

I have seen the years, seventy-two of them and counting. I try to take in the meaning of this song and how it might relate to me. I do know that I tend to shut my eyes when something unjust or controversial happens and maybe this protects me from crying. 

My eyesight is a bit blurry, so a prescription update is likely. Maybe this will help me see clearer. Playing games on my phone has led to some eye strain and mild headaches. I’m sure I’ll get dilated, and the onset of cataracts will be apparent. I also need new glasses since there are some tiny cracks in my lenses. A new look is in order, after years of wearing wire rims. Doctor, my eyes require your attention!