Gratitude in 10-Second Frames (After 22 Years of Blur)
A Hiatus, Eye Surgery, and Thanksgiving
To those of you reading in the United States: joyous Thanksgiving! And for the others who are elsewhere, I wish you the same joy and air of gratitude. We don’t necessarily need it to be the fourth Thursday in November to celebrate our blessings, after all. It’s merely more convenient and collective to do so.
It’s been a long (albeit planned) hiatus for this author. First I was in South Korea—a trip with stories I’ll eventually write about, no doubt. But for the past ten days, I’ve been in Vancouver, BC.
And I’m overwhelmed to report that for the first time in about 22 years, I can read the words on this screen without the aid of glasses.
After years of juggling the potential of getting corrective surgery done on my eyes, an intuitive pull led me to explore Canadian providers. Many hours of research and soul-searching corroborated my wish not to support capitalistic healthcare.
Still I hemmed and hawed with the decision, straddled between fear and anticipation. I even postponed the surgery date once. But at some point, despite the still-warm embers of anxiety, I committed to some travel accommodations and did it anyway.
10-Second Stories of Gratitude
This post isn’t intended to rehash the details of my surgery or the 10-plus days spent in preparation and recovery. Instead, it’s an homage to the blessings this journey brought forth.
It was through connection to loved ones and the deep inner quiet of the soul that I found thankfulness worth rejoicing over. Amidst momentary blips of physical suffering, there was wonder. Immense joy. Contentment, even with challenges. Love everlasting.
I took comparatively few photos, but there were select moments worth capturing. Now, in true Annette fashion (while respecting that the eyes still need reduced screen time), I’ve prepared a small gallery to commemorate some moments for which I’m grateful.
Each caption should take about 10 seconds to read, but if I’ve done any justice to my role a a wordsmith, your immersion will invoke a peace and joy which is longer-lasting.
The Gratitude Gallery
from my recovery in Vancouver, BC
The thrum of the city never seems to cease; engine motors and twinkling lights underpin the blanket of the sky’s majesty. Man and nature, atmosphere and concrete: dancing together in effortless harmony.
A bowl of warmth, an act of love: soothing the soul with intentional timing and careful touch. Closed eyes, open heart… endurance is not quite as daunting as it was at the start.
Recovery cycles, at times turning a stroll into a leap of faith. Trust the process, mind your step. Take each moment with a fresh dash of zeal, for it’s a continuation of the last, and determines how it will feel.
A colorful alley, a dual reminder.
Both healing and life are masterpieces of equilibrium. There is a time to be ahead and a time to be behind; a time for strain and a time for ease.
And rejoice, for in this moment… I can see, I can see!
What small, yet robust wonder is packed into such an artful meal. Spiraled avocado, tasteful toppings, and sprouted toast with a delicate crisp—a masterpiece celebrating food as a gift.
The first glance in the mirror after a week beneath shades, I was overcome with fantastical gladness: these blues hadn’t changed. O Cosmic Painter, animator of all life: thank you for this vigor, this love, this light.
Healing, Stewardship, Groundedness & Gratitude
As I reflect upon this journey, my heart is saturated with gratitude, and this gallery is only the start. There were other moments that were uncapturable, yet still profound. Many involved loved ones who “surrounded” me with love even if they weren’t around.
When my eyes were swollen shut, for instance, my brother remotely ordered eye drops, orange juice, and dinner to my door. A dear handful of friends kept my gratitude aglow by sending voice memos and video calls. Fellow volunteers passed no judgment about my sunglasses at our virtual meeting; instead we shared space where my confidence could be re-found.
And throughout the whole way, I learned how to better be a steward of mindfulness, compassion, and ever-new joy.
For all these reasons and more, I’m grateful this holiday. How blessed we are to have each other, our senses, and the infinite variety of cosmic play!
♡⸝⸝.