Beauty is in the eye of the (2 year old) beholder

This picture was taken just moments after someone (a grandmother, nonetheless!) asked me if Jack would be able to get "more fashionable glasses" when he's older.  Perhaps you felt the world shake as my heart broke into a million tiny pieces.  I fought back the tears as  Jack ran happily around one of our new favorite indoor playgrounds.  It didn't phase him one bit. I felt sorry for him, and let's be honest, myself, until I was able to snap this picture.  I finally realized that when Jack looks in the mirror, this is what he sees.  Pure happiness - enjoying a day out with mom, jungle gyms and more importantly, a room dedicated to train tables. He really does not care that he wears glasses.  It's all he's known since he was 3 months old, so why would he think any differently?



I've carried such a burden on my shoulders since the day we found out he had cataracts. When we are at the grocery store, Jack sits there happily munching his free cookie (thank you, Harris Teeter) while I am constantly looking over my shouder to see if that woman is still staring, or if I can hear the child ask his mom why that baby is wearing glasses. The momma bear instinct just kicks in, and no matter what, it can't be quelled.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not mourning for a child without glasses. In fact, when Jack pulls them off at night, he's just not the same kid. I wonder to myself if, without glasses, he would be as funny, or as loving or as smart. I just think his resilience has made him into this super awesome kid! Now I know there may come a day when he looks in the mirror and sees what everyone has been staring at all these years. Be careful because the earth will shake when my heart breaks again. But, I pray that this smart and funny kid will just have so much to offer the world, that it won't a bit of difference. And let's be honest, there's a lot less to stare at when you see a five year old wearing glasses as opposed to a five month old.

So until then, Jack, keep making us laugh and giving us hugs. You can tell me, "Jack so silly" until the cows come home. We love you so much!