My car crash left multiple casualties. Beyond the broken bones, damaged nerves, cancelled gigs, totaled car, a broken guitar neck, a missing Fishman loudbox mini amplifier, and one missing earbud, I lost two pairs of glasses. One set was normal, progressive lens glasses, and the other was dark mirrored sunglasses. I loved the sunglasses and wore them to every gig.
As I try to reassemble a semblance of normality in my life, I find that I am going through a progression of sorts. First off is dealing with the reality of my physical and physiological condition. I have severe functional limitations with my left arm and hand. OK, there is therapy and time, and we will see what recovers. Check!
Next is the nagging reality of medical appointments, bills, insurance, etc. It’s part of the new normal. Ongoing, check!
Figuring out creative outlets, be it in the form of new musical expressions, writing, or other social engagements. Got to figure that out too. Ongoing, check.
It seemed that another good thing to do and check off the list would be to get an eye exam and replace my glasses.
So I did just that.
I’ve found I had very little change in my vision, so my prescription was virtually unchanged. My distant vision actually gotten a little better? Go Figure! In the process of picking out new frames, I made a comment to the technician that I had several old pairs of glasses at home that were scratched up or damaged. She said they might be able to simply change the lenses and suggested I bring them in.
I thought, why not?
When I got the call, my new glasses were in, I made a swoop around the house and barn and gathered up several pairs of old glasses. I would find out if the frames were still usable and if the lens could be upgraded.
On a whim, I picked up a pair of sunglasses that I have had for a long time. You see, years ago, I had left them on the seat of the car, and my brother Jeff sat on them. He inadvertently broke one of the lenses.
He felt awful, and I tried to reassure him that it was no big deal. Jeff and I kinda had a sunglasses thing going on anyway. We played an outdoor show a few years prior in Greenville, and some guy was talking to us at the end of our performance. I couldn’t get away from him, and it was getting dark. Long story short, between Jeff’s visual impairment and the growing darkness, we got a jammed up during our load out. I lost a very expensive pair of Costa sunglasses, and we couldn’t find a bag of Jeff’s miscellaneous stage accouterments. Fast forward a few years, and we had another sunglasses casualty.
For whatever reason, I kept the pair Jeff sat on.
The following year, after decades of health challenges, Jeff passed away. I just kept them around as a reminder of his talent, easy presence, and kind nature. He was a gift.
The glasses have spent the past several years on the desk by my computer, and more than once, I have picked them up and wondered why I was keeping them. Now I found myself with them at the Costco Optical department as the technician casually said I can fix these right now.
After waiting for a few minutes, she reappeared and set the glasses down in front of me. I managed to say thank you before I got choked up. MJ came to the rescue and explained that I had a sentimental attachment to them.
Sometimes the best Christmas presents are unanticipated.