I can see clearly now

Back when I was twenty-four I memorized all the words to that song, all the lilting hopeful words backpacked for tomorrow or yesterday. Where are the years wasted but in that backpack, yes?

One week past the last cataract surgery, and I can see clearly. I don't know how long I had them, pesky cataracts, only that two years ago, maybe longer, light started bothering me painfully but not consistently. Growing older one excuses those nuances of aging, bad eyesight. Last summer past eyesight grew even more painful. I ventured to the optometrist in November, knowing in December another fourth year past a birthday and I'd have to take the driver's eye exam.

Now I'm not quite so sure that the driver's eye exam is what it should be. I passed, with the knowledge of cataracts growing. I was grateful to hold onto the license. I have older friends whose licenses are tentative from year to year. They still drive from house to drugstore to hearing place to liquor store. That will probably be my path too : )

But the optometrist, not the old guy from the Cities that I loved and trusted, but a newer cheaper brand at Wal-Mart issued the proclamation, cataracts, a few weeks earlier. What do I do? I asked.

Go home and think about it.

I did for six months, but by early summer could not drive at night, cursed the day vision.

And what did I do? Instead of pushing for early surgery, went on a road trip to Montana with my daughter, of course.

I could drive in the day fine. At least that's what we told ourselves. Could not drive at night. If Jen would have been impaired during night driving home, we would have been stuck at the side of the road.
The trip was in August. I had my first surgery September 17th.

Wonderful new eyesight in the left eye.