Leonard Light | Such An Interesting World

I remember when my grandmother, who loved books beyond anything and particularly romance novels, lost her sight to macular degeneration. She had haunted bookstores, come to visit me when certain authors were in town, and rarely bought books used unless I took her to my friends' used bookstores. Mimi told me, "I just want to be able to read."

The winters where she is in eastern Tennessee can be long for an elderly person, so I didn't think that was so much to ask for a lady in her eighties who spent her days feeding birds, reading, and watching classic movies in her old house near the mountains. She had an attic full of books, numbering in the thousands. I couldn't bear the thought of her not being able to do the thing she loved most, so I had her come to my city and took her to the very best eye doctor I could find. He removed the cataracts in the hope of allowing just a bit more light into her vision.

But the march of macular degeneration, particularly in those years, was fairly progressive and relentless. Soon the books were left unopened, stacked on her nightstand and television stand, and on her prodigious shelves. She could no longer even read my books, which seemed sadly ironic to me since it was she who wanted me to write. Willa Cather is a distant relative, and Mimi had dreamed of having another writer in the family. I tried sending her books on tape, but this was not quite the same. She loved the feel of holding books, and smoking her cigarettes as she allowed the writers to capture her with their tales.

I always felt life had rather cruelly robbed her of the one pleasure she had after my grandfather had died many years before. She did her best to continue enjoying life with the vision she had. She still fed birds, she plotted against the hawk in her neighborhood that preyed on her titmice and chickadees. She took the fifty-cent van to doctor's appointments, and chatted with her neighbor.

Mimi told me that one day an elderly, grumpy man got onto the fifty-cent van. He was very angry that he'd lost the sight in one of his eyes, and was very sore at life. She said, with a chuckle, that he'd gone on and on about it the entire length of their ride. I asked her if she'd told him that she had no vision to speak of left in either eye. I thought it would have made him feel less angry if he knew that the little old lady next to him was soldiering on with barely any vision. "No," Mimi said, "I didn't tell him." "Why?" I asked, and with another chuckle, she said, "He seemed like he needed to talk."

I wondered at the fact that she seemed to have so little self-pity. But I can't recall her ever mentioning her loss of eyesight with any statement of anger. She relied more on movies and never asked me about my writing after a certain point, and I never brought it up. I just know that in her quiet hours she still enjoys the memories of all the trips we took together, hunting for her favorite authors' tales. And now it's my children who constantly drag me to the bookstores and fill my house with volumes of amazing stories, and when I think about the adventures we have together through the magic of books, I'm content.

Lovely Books: HOW RIGHT YOU ARE, JEEVES by P.G. Wodehouse. Fans of HOUSE would be interested to know that grumpy Dr. House aka Hugh Laurie long ago did a television series entitled Jeeves and Wooster, starring the minor aristocrat and somewhat bumbling, loyal ever-nephew Bernie Wooster who must always be rescued by the wise and unflappable butler Jeeves. If you like regency-toned, wonderful wordsmithing, P.G. Wodehouse can't be beat- -this book is a fun classic. Then rent or order the Jeeves and Wooster cd's-- Hugh Laurie is a stitch as the well-meaning, do-gooding white knight to his always-embroiled family and friends.

Great Movie Fun: So many good movies to see this month, but couldn't resist a nostalgic walk down Yellow Brick Road with the WIZARD OF OZ. Such color and what a story! Then we took the nieces and wily daughter to see ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS in 3D. It was good family viewing and safe fun for the kiddies--and thankfully hyper-squirrel Scrat gets a nice long chance to chase our favorite escapist acorn in 3D!

Wise Words: Always aim for achievement, and forget about success.—Helen Hayes, "First Lady of the American Theatre" whose career spanned almost seventy years.

Do comment any time during the month of August to be eligible for the drawing of three five dollar Amazon e-certs, chosen by Fresh Fiction!

Until next time,
Tina Leonard

Tina Leonard has a publishing history of more than forty projects. With sales of over a million books, she is also a Bookscan and Waldenbooks bestselling author. Tina enjoys family, friends, researching projects, and a good glass of wine when she's not on deadline. She is looking forward to her November release, A COWBOY FROM CHRISTMAS PAST

One of my worst fears is becoming blind. My biological father is blind due to diabetes, and I've had glasses since the second grade. I always thought, out of all the five senses, vision is the cream-of-the-crop one. I'd rather perish than live without sight.

However -- after reading this piece, and learning all about your beloved Mimi and her attitude about her weakening sight, I feel less afraid.

It was lovely when she held back to let the elderly, grumpy man vent, even though her plight was greater.

Not everyone wants a solution, they simply wish to be heard. Mimi is terrific!
(Queen Priya 3:44am August 2, 2009)

This has made me feel very grateful that I am able to enjoy my favorite pastime-reading. Thanks for sharing Mimi's story. My grandmother
got me started reading romance books at a young age and it was something we enjoyed together while she was alive.
(Julia Stover 9:13pm August 2, 2009)

One of my worst fears, too, is losing my eye sight. Mimi's attitude and outlook on life is one we should all strive for.
(Joyce Bair 11:06pm August 2, 2009)

Losing one's sight is a very scary proposition.If this ever happened to me I would be very angry at first but then I think I would be thankful I could still hear. That way not everything would be lost, as I would still be able to enjoy books on tape, music & of course interacting with all my friends & relatives.
(Christine Schultz 12:40pm August 3, 2009)

hi well i dotn now what ot say i love to read and since iam recouping form surgery aftrere surgery i like to read and would like yurs
(Desiree Reilly 7:13pm August 3, 2009)

Reading is one of my favorite things to do if I lost my sight it would be a horrible thing to get used to- but you Mimi is an inspiration to us all,
(Audra Holtwick 7:51am August 4, 2009)

I can't imagine not being able to read all the books to my kids or myself that line our bookshelves and overflow onto the floors of our house, but you adapt to what life gives you--- and maybe my kids would read more than, cause they would have to read to me......
(Kelly Holt 5:14pm August 4, 2009)

Your Mimi is an inspiration. I love to read and hope that if anything would ever happen to my eyesight I could also be greatful for the people and things in my life that I could still enjoy.
(Lori Duhoski 10:12pm August 4, 2009)

Reading is so important to me. I would hope I can continue to read as long as I live.

Linda Henderson
(Linda Henderson 12:35pm August 7, 2009)

As a person with pretty terrible eyesight, and one who really loves to read, I can imagine how hard it was for your grandmother to lose her ability to read. She is an inspiration and I sure hope if I manage to live that long and suffer a similar misfortune, I'll be able to deal it with half as well as she.
(Barbara Elness 4:05pm August 8, 2009)

Great story! I love to read and would be lost without books, audio books are just not the same. Makes you appreciate the things you have, especially eye sight.
(Julie Trimm 10:55pm August 8, 2009)

Tina,

Your Mimi sounds like a wonderful woman! So great to have those sorts of amazing influences in our lives. My dad's dad had a lot of heartache and pain in his 98 years, but he never complained about anything. My dad is much the same.
(April Massey 8:40am August 9, 2009)

Your grandmother sounds like a remarkable woman. It is so difficult to watch people lose what they love when they age. My grandmother is 92, and as she says--she is ready to go. She has pain every day and has lost her husband, her son, and her independence. It breaks my heart, but I ceratinly understand her being ready.
(Michelle St. James 7:12pm August 9, 2009)

All I can say is to be grateful for what you have in life, and continue to live your life to the fullest, because you never know what may be taken away from you. My motto is to live, love, and laugh.
(Cheryl English 10:09pm August 9, 2009)

I LIKE TO SAY THAT I IN JOY THE CONTEST THEY HAVE HERE AND I LOVE THE BOOK MY FEAR IS GETTING BITE BY A SNOKE A FIAN
(Desiree Reilly 1:42pm August 10, 2009)

I think as long as I am able to read, I will be able to face getting old(er). I would be lost without my books. Your story did touch a chord inside, though.
(Nancy Gilliland 8:08pm August 11, 2009)

I am recovering from eye surgery and would be devestated if it were not success and was blind.Your book helps to face getting older...keep a up note and looking ahead.
(Shirley Sego 1:24am August 12, 2009)

I am like a child in a candy shop every time I go into a book store. My eyes try to take in all of the many different genris to choose from, it's like trying to choose different flavors or colors of candies, and I want one of each.
(Wanda Maynard 5:46pm August 12, 2009)

Not to be able to see and read a book would be a worse fate than death for me.
(Debra Kelley 10:30pm August 12, 2009)

Your life with your grandmother mirrors my own in many ways! Oh - and we have the entire J&W series on DVD :)
(Susan Barton 11:28am August 13, 2009)

Mimi sounds like a wonderful grandmother.
(Cheryl Snyder 1:26pm August 13, 2009)

Your grandmother accepted what life gave her with grace and courage. I'm glad that you have wonderful memories.
(Rosemary Krejsa 1:04pm August 15, 2009)

I would like to think that I would cope as well with a condition like that, but I would probably be more like th old man.
(Laurey Martin 12:47pm August 17, 2009)

Enjoyed reading the coments. As much as I love to read, I hope I keep my vision to do so.
Your Grandmother sounded like a fun person.
(Joy Isley 3:07pm August 17, 2009)

Your grandmother sounds like a lovely woman.
(Maureen Emmons 3:20pm August 18, 2009)

You story hit to close to home. I am so happy that your Mimi is able to cope with her macular degeneration. My mom is in the same situation and is very unaccepting of it. I have taken her to several different Opthamologists trying to satisfy her in her search for better eyesight. She has had cataracts removed from both eyes and glaucoma; but until the MDG hit she was able to read. (She also suffers from stacato vision: her eyes/brain mix up letters and words; a kind of dislexia) She is 88 and I am so upset for her. She tries to read, but it wears her out. I wish she could listen to audio books, but a tape player confuses her and many readers speak too fast for her to comprehend. (early stage big A). She watchs TV and that's the extent of her entertainment. Hopefully they will have a cure...for me when I'm her age. Reading is just about everything to me.
(Cait Voss 1:00am August 20, 2009)

I would love to read this book sounds like a heatwarming story.
(Colleen Jensen 8:56am August 20, 2009)

Wow what a great story. I recently had a scare with my eyes. I thought I had a retinal detachment and the first fear I had was not being able to read if I went blind. It scared me to death. I'm so thankful I can read. It is such a major part of my life.
(Jonie Ricks 7:14pm August 21, 2009)

I am glad you talked about macular degeneration that your grandmother had. My mother has the wet form and it is hard to talk about it to other and you did a excellant job of it.
(Susan Lathen 2:28am August 23, 2009)

Oh my. That is one of my fears, that I will lose my sight and not be able to read, to have the book in my hands, turning the pages. Your grandma was a strong lady, indeed. On to a happier, topic, I remember the Jeeves and Wooster series!! Loved them!!! Read all the books I could get my hands on, too, of course!!
(Anne Harris 8:36am August 25, 2009)

My mother in law has macular degernation, in the dry form and she really doesn't see much at all, she uses her side vision.
(Brenda Rupp 1:02pm August 25, 2009)

Your Mimi was obviously a gracious and wise woman who didn't need eyesight to really see what was around her.
(Debra Mowatt 3:20pm August 26, 2009)

I agree, losing my sight would be catastrophic. Reading & watching movies are my 2 favorite pastimes. I was diagnosed with cataracts last year. I notice changes in my vision, but it is a slow, progressive problem and fortunately, it can be corrected when the time comes.
(Karen Haas 10:39am August 27, 2009)

What a touching story. I do not know if I could take being blind so well. Movies and books are my escape.
(Theresa Buckholtz 6:13pm August 28, 2009)

My great-grandmother lived with us when I was a child and taught me to love books. She was bedridden, but never let it stop her from reading to us. She was a person who had always been busy and going somewhere, but did not let the loss of mobility keep her from enjoying what she did have, much like your Mimi.
(Sharon Mitchell 7:56pm August 29, 2009)

How sad that her love of books was taken from her. I also have a deep love of books, and holding them as you describe. Glad that she had you and the family to help her cope with the changes in her body.
(Joanne Reynolds 7:24am August 30, 2009)

Great story, it was so heartwarming. One of my greatest fears is losing my eyesight too as I love to read.
(Jenny Ng 3:46pm August 30, 2009)

I canceled my TV service because I didn't watch it enough to justify the cost. I would much rather read. I have very poor vision, but get good results with glasses. I cannot imagine how rough it would be for an avid reader to lose their vision. What a sad story.
(Caroline Kolb 4:26pm August 30, 2009)

I feel bad about your grandmother. I am developing a cataract and my husband has macular degeneration but we are doing everything to keep our sight. I read hours a day and my husband does also with the help of magnifiers. I don't now what I would do if I could not read.
(Gayle Oreluk 10:17pm August 30, 2009)

Thanks for the insights on macular degeneration. I've been told that I need to watch out myself for this terrible debilitating disease. I don't know what I would do if I lost the ability to read.
(Steve Ellis 11:21pm August 31, 2009)

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