"I've changed my will three times!" (part 1)

There's an old joke about hearing loss that goes like this:

"Seems an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years.

He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%.

The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, 'Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.'

To which the gentleman said, 'Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three times!'"

I read that joke for the first time the other day and laughed until I cried! Then I realized why I was crying...

I'm completely jealous of the old man in the story!

You see, a few years ago I started to notice something. Whenever I tried to carry on a phone conversation I would  zone out. It was like I'd suddenly realize that the other person was talking and it felt like I had been daydreaming... or thinking about what to fix for supper.

Wow. How completely rude of me. What did I think I was listening to... a sermon? :)

Eventually I realized that this wasn't happening because I was bored or overwhelmed... it was because the voice on the other end of the line was slipping away from me. Every word sounded muffled as if the caller was speaking to me from inside a closed room and I had my ear pressed to the door trying desperately to interpret their intent... only to find my mind wandering when the effort became too much.

Then I started to notice things: The television was keeping everyone awake if they went to bed before me, requests had to be repeated three or four times before I could process what someone was asking of me, I had to watch the screen in checkout lines to make sure I understood the total of my purchase.... something wasn't right. 

It was evident that a hearing evaluation was necessary, so I made an appointment with a local clinic and went to try and figure out what was wrong with my ears.

After a cleaning, an exam, and a battery of tests the hearing specialist verified what my whole family already knew:

I was developing significant hearing loss in both ears.

 There are no words to describe how relieved I was. Everything fell into place and I began to understand all the strange (-er than normal ;) ) events I'd been experiencing. Now I had an answer and could take steps to correct the issue and get back to a (more) normal (than usual) existence! 

Right?

Right?

Right....

The conversation went something like this,  The specialist said, "You have significant hearing loss appearing in both of your ears."

"Ah, okay. That makes sense. What can I do then?"

"The best thing for you at this stage would be hearing enhancements, such as hearing aids. Then, you will need to have an evaluation yearly to keep a tab on your situation. Most insurance plans don't cover the equipment, but we can give you information on where to purchase."

"Wait... what?! They don't what?! You have got to be kidding me." Okay, I didn't vocalize the last part... that was all in my head. But, I calmed myself down by thinking that my family has good insurance that has always taken care of us.... everything would be okay.

It wasn't. Our insurance doesn't cover hearing aids and they are not alone:

Just Google "insurance doesn't cover hearing aids"

At this point I'm so completely frustrated that it's still affecting me three years later and, therefore, I will have finish this blog this afternoon.  (Or, it's time to wake my daughter for her schoolwork.)

 

 

We had fun with Grammy in Myrtle Beach last Fall:

I thought I might share the prologue to a book I'm working on. 

It's actually the true account of my father's upbringing in Mississippi. His story is similar to some other great men: He had a severe speech impediment that his community protected him from by adjusting their understanding and acceptance, which unfortunately caused him to travel to college still unable to speak properly. He grew up to become a community leader and eloquent pastor for over 50 years!

This is rough (rough rough) draft form:

Prologue

                The small child shivered as the crowd swept around him. He could hear the mingled voices of men, women, and children all excitedly speaking at once. The sounds of people, sales clerks and cash registers began to swell in his mind, filling his consciousness until he began to cr. He heard all sounds except the soothing calm of his mom and dad.

                They were separated as soon as the department store opened its doors. The little boy was swept away from his parents in a flood of humanity. Everyone was scurrying to get the best price. The confusion was overwhelming for a boy so young and he dropped to his knees, trying to escape swinging purses and other children being pulled  through the aisles.

                Sullenly, he bowed his head and uttered a quick prayer, “Dear Lord, I’ll do anything you want. Just, please, let me find my mommy and daddy.”

                Almost immediately a voice cut through the crowd, “Tommy Gene!”

                Gene glanced up to see his parents waving to him from the banister of the second floor. They had fought the crowd and climbed the stairs to have a better view of the sales floor. Knowing the Lord had answered his prayer, Gene dried his tears and waved as his parents made their way down the stairs to collect their beloved son.

                Tommy Gene never forgot the promise he made to God.

Assumptions, etc.

There's something on my mind lately. Why do we insist on judging people that we don't even know? Humans are so good at making decisions based on false perceptions. I swear, it's like we think we know EVERYTHING and we're completely certain that we are the ONLY ones that are right... and of that I am absolutely, positively certain!

Michaela as Katniss

 Michaela sporting her Katniss Everdeen hair! I googled (it's your friend, really) and found some pictures of the sideswept braid style as interpreted by the upcoming movie... which we cannot wait to see! We're planning a field trip to the theatre. :-)