Jack Blanchard's Column June 11, 2019

EYESIGHT TO THE BLIND

(Written in 2006)

If you've always had perfect vision,
you may not understand some of this.
My parents were told that I was nearsighted
and bought me my first pair of glasses when I was about six.
Maybe younger... I'm not sure.

The opticians said that new prescriptions were needed every six months,
which was a way to sell more glasses.
So, twice a year, stronger glasses were put on me.
The walls looked curved, the universe was distorted,
and my eyesight weakened with each new pair.
They usually made me dizzy and nauseated,
and I now realize they were too strong.

I did well as an athlete in school sports,
even though I had to wear a heavy metal and foam shield
that was hard to keep in place.
They didn't seem to have the light plastic ones then.
It was like peering out a prison window.
Nobody mentioned contact lenses.
They were made of wood in those days.

In high school
I couldn't always read what was written on the board,
but I didn't want to admit it,
so I dazzled them with my personality.
Hey...maybe that's when I became an entertainer!

Later, when I went into show business,
I wore cool prescription shades, contact lenses,
or granny glasses.
They became part of my image.
I never really liked them, but without them I was legally blind.

To me, looking through glasses was like being inside,
looking at the world through a window.
Not really being out in it.
Sometimes I'd go outside and take the glasses off,
and even though things were a just a blur,
it felt more real with the breeze on my eyes
and no barrier between me and my surroundings.

I faked my way through school, struggled through football, baseball,
and even a season of pro hockey.
I performed on stages for thousands of people,
with those eye crutches, and after all that...
suddenly I can see perfectly!
It's like a miracle!

My doctor performed two brief surgeries in the past month,
and I now have 20-20 vision...no Ben Franklins.
I can see like a mink!

I've been walking around the neighborhood
looking at the highest leaves on trees,
the textures of flowers and grass,
and especially the colors,
which are a lot brighter than I thought.
I took a good look at Misty and she's still beautiful.

Today I drove the car for the first time in about a month,
and I didn't hit as many people as I used to.

It may be a screwed-up world, but I'm glad to be in it.

Jack Blanchard
Copyright Jack Blanchard, 2006.

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
Home Page: http://www.jackandmisty.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackandmisty
Billboard Duet of the Year, Grammy and CMA Finalists.

Jack Blanchard, 2019