I recently had an eye opening experience.
Literally!
One day at supper my wife noticed that our son Ari’s eyes were tightly closed.
She immediately suspected that “it happened again.”
That something got into his eye. He started rubbing it. And rubbing it.
And now he has a scratched cornea.
Which is very painful!
… Off we went to the ophthalmologists.
(We had to lead Ari with his eyes closed!)
And in order for the doctor to check Ari’s eye? He needed to look at it.
And in order for him to look at it? Ari needed to open it.
But he wouldn’t!
So the (very patient and very cheerful!) doctor tried to put in some anesthetic drops.
They would soothe the pain and allow Ari to open his eyes.
But Ari was determined not to let him.
Finally he got it in.
And presto!
Ari’s eyes opened wide!
He had a “now you’re talking” look on his face.
… My wife and I were thinking the same thing.
It reminded us of a “Thank G-d” we say every morning.
One that we will say with more feeling in the future.
It’s a blessing that is part of the morning service. Every day.
“Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, Who gives sight to the blind”.
Jewish tradition reminds us be thankful for something we tend to take for granted.
The gift of sight! The ability to see!
We all know the amazing things we’re able to see.
A beautiful baby.
(And if that baby is a grandchild? Wow!)
Children playing. A sunrise. Our spouses. Flowers. A sky full of stars.
(I’m talking locally. Then you have the Grand Canyon. Or the Alps!)
… The blessing is meant to remind us.
How thankful we should be!
Because we would be blind if G-d didn’t open our eyes!
… Ari’s cornea was scratched.
Thank G-d, a child’s eye heals pretty quickly.
Which itself is a miracle.
But we were also reminded of the daily gift of sight.
… Here’s an idea.
If you already say the blessing every morning?
Try this tomorrow morning.
And if you don’t?
Do it now.
Close your eyes for a few seconds.
Think of how different your life would be if you couldn’t see!
And say the blessing with tremendous feeling.
“Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, Who gives sight to the blind.”
(Baruch atoh Adonoy, elohaynu melech ha’olam, pokayach ivrim)
All the best,