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| Who's Blind? |
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I was raised in the country......I mean country, LOL. We lived on a mountain and my grandparents on my father's side lived down the road....that was the closest neighbors. We went to town once a week on Saturdays for whatever we couldn't grow. We had no locks on our doors, but we did have indoor plumbing, LOL.
My grandmother on my mom's side took turns living with her children. She was blind. I don't know exactly when she went blind but it was between 1946 and 1949. She was a little woman, 100 lbs. dripping wet, but being little was only in stature. She raised 12 of the 14 children she had, two died young. She was 77 years old when I was born. Her husband died in 1946.
I remember when she lived with us, she learned the layout of our home and could go place to place by herself. At the table we would place her hand on each item on the plate and tell her what it was, then she would eat. She dipped Garrett Sweet snuff and rocked in a rocking chair, spitting in a coffee can. I would sit beside her, dipping my snuff which was Hershey's Cocoa, and I had my own coffee can to spit in :)
It was during those times that I learned what blind was and wasn't. And those beliefs are still with me today. She never saw me with her eyes, but she could tell you exactly what I looked like. She saw me with her hands and heart :) I learned to be blind with her......I would go around with my eyes closed and see things from her world......and it opened up a whole world for me.
I didn't learn to first look at people physically. So, what someone looks like doesn't matter.......a good thing to learn young. I learned to close my eyes and paint what I didn't see.....that is what the real person looks like.
I had no idea what handicapped nor disability was......I thought everyone had a blind grandmother, it was normal. She wasn't handicapped nor disabled......she just saw differently from us, with her heart, hands, ears and nose. I still believe that way :) We, who have all of our bodies in complete working condition are some of the most handicapped and disabled people in the world.
I learned to appreciate the smell of something before I ever saw it. It's like getting up in the morning to the smell of coffee brewing....but I learned to do this throughout the whole day!
I learned to listen to the wind in the pines, the sounds of a storm, and to hear someone's heart through them talking to me. In this world we can hide behind masks, I've had many, but the heart is not hidden in the voice, if you listen close.
What I didn't know that I was learning from her, a gift she gave me through teaching me to be blind, is that I'm able to close my eyes, picture something, then paint the words on paper so that others can read what I see.
Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound.
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found,
Twas blind, but now I see.
Thank you Lord for Your Grace and for Little Grandma who saw me through Your Eyes! |
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| To add a comment to "Who's Blind?" |
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| May 30, 2008 |
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| What a wonderful message - my grandmother also dipped snuff and I dipped chocolate and sugar whenever I visited her during the summer. Awesome message Cindy - thanks for bringing back memories I had not thought of in a while. |
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| May 30, 2008 |
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(((((CINDY LOU WHO))))) You've done it!! I love this! Wow! I have so many thoughts bouncing around right now I don't know where to begin! First, Thank GOD for indoor plumbing! I'm 1/2 your age and remember using the outhouse! LOL!
My grandma was my most precious person! She weighed 69 lbs. healthy and when she passed away she dropped to an amazing 27 lbs. So I picture her.
Third, the lessons your grandma passed to you are priceless. You are caring and I do believe you see the persons heart! I meant what I wrote in the Good Night on My Church poem...you paint with your words and people did to take notice and listen! You are a blessing...so much more, but don't want to totally take over! Love ya lady!!! |
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| May 30, 2008 |
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| Cindy you learned not only a valuable earthly lesson but it applies spiritually. We have to learn to walk by faith. Even if we can't see things we have to accept that it will be as we know it to be. Good stuff Maynard! |
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| May 31, 2008 |
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4Given:Thanks! It was fun to dip with them, wasn't it?
Grasshopper : thanks so much. I love you girl!
Bro Todd : Yes, it applies spiritually too.......not seeing what is before us that He wants, but stepping out in faith with Him:) |
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| May 31, 2008 |
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| I have to tell y'all a funny on my writing.......I write everything, LOL. Hubby knows if he come home and there's a note.......he's usually in trouble, LOLOL. I write, too, because when writing you have to think about what you're writing down....so when I'm angry, I write, so that I don't lash out and say things I shouldn't, LOLOLOL |
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| May 31, 2008 |
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| What a GREAT idea.....Write when you are angry so you don't lash out!!! Bless Cindy Lou's Hubby!!! |
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| May 31, 2008 |
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| What a great lesson! That was so touching and "eye" opening. Thanks for sharing. |
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| May 31, 2008 |
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| I love this..I can relate with you on this post..this was so inspirtaional..thanks ! |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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Miss : sometimes he doesn't get what I write......because I reread it and throw it away, LOL
Shirley: Thanks!
Cyn: Glad you loved it! |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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| LOL! That's the way to do it though huh? Love you and thanks for the 10 stars......you mylady.......are a blessing!! |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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| Miss : yep it is!!!!!! When you write, ya gotta think and therefore you choose your battles :) |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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Or just tear it up and throw it away....before any eyes see it.....Have a great day! |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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| You too!!!!! |
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