Awhile back, one of my friends wrote about one of their young children getting glasses (Alyssa, was that you?)  I symphathized with her as I read her post because I KNEW one day one or all of my kids would need glasses.  It was only a matter of time.  The time is now.  My oldest, Chad, who will be 12 years old in 10 days (he could tell you how many minutes and seconds) will be getting his first pair of glasses next week.  Sigh.  I find myself looking at his sweet face more often because I know he's going to change forever in a few days.  Sigh.  Oh, I know it's not the end of the world and the glasses will help strengthen his weak eye.  Apparently, he's been seeing up close with one eye and faraway with the other - don't ask me how he does that!  The glasses will correct this issue.  And, of course, dh and I have both worn glasses or contacts since we were kids.  It's a family tradition.  Ha ha (this is a hollow laugh).  It's just another change in my world.  Chad's rather excited about it which makes it easier.  And I'm glad he's excited about getting them.  I felt quite different when I had to get glasses at his age.  Which reminds me of a story ...

I did not know I needed glasses when I was a kid.  I suppose we had our eyes checked through the school because I only went to a doctor once when I was growing up (mom didn't believe in them!!)  But one day, my mom took me to the eye doctor down the street and I got fitted for glasses.  They were wire-rimmed, kind of square-ish, modern for the time.  And too thick, at least I thought, though I have seen thicker (sorry dh!)  My eyesight wasn't that bad but I do have vivid memories of riding in the backseat of the car, wearing my new glasses, and looking up at the trees.  I could actually SEE each individual leaf.  It was remarkable.  The trees weren't just shapeless blobs, the detail was amazing.  I could also read street signs without squinting.  I don't remember wearing my glasses much but I do remember dropping them all the time.  They bounced!  It wasn't until I started driving that I realized how much I needed my glasses.  I nearly ran into a sign that was on a median in the middle of the street (it was dark which didn't help).  So I wore them for driving, at least when my friends weren't around.  I know, what a dork, right?  Contacts really saved me.  I got them when I was about 17 or so.  Finally, I was driving safe and seeing well. 

My dh got glasses when he was 7.  The first time I saw his school picture of that year, I had to stifle a laugh.  He looked like Buddy Holly.  Slicked-back hair, black horn-rimmed glasses.  I still call it his Buddy Holly photo though no one laughs but me.  Dh had contacts when I met him but over the years, we both decided to go back to glasses for various reasons.  I consider mine face jewelry.

Back to our son, Chad.  We were debating over several pairs of glasses for him at the doctor's.  It was difficult - I had to adjust to seeing him WITH glasses while at the same time, decide which pair looked good on him.  Forgive me, but I really don't want him to look too nerdy, you know?  (Shame, shame on me!)  A little nerdy is fine.  Sort of.  Anyway, dh went back to the rack of glasses and picked out a pair of  - guess what? - Buddy Holly-style frames!  Of course, Chad loved them and that's what he settled on.  I hesitated to ask the doctor if other kids his age were wearing glasses like that because I'm always telling the kids to be themselves.  You know, don't follow the crowd unless they are going into a really great Italian restaurant.  I think there's a part of me that's afraid someone will make fun of him but then, that's life.  If someone does, he'll learn how to handle it.  We all have.  We all need to learn.  Fortunately, the doctor said it was a popular style right now.  Which is good and bad, depending on my mood.  Don't follow the crowd but don't walk on your hands and be too weird.  Chill out, Mom!  This will be no big deal in a few days.  Really.  Just another chapter in the life of my firstborn.