He was blinded by the light
Speaking of the elderly….I forgot to mention this part of our Spring Break adventure.
So my Irish grandmother calls me a few days before Rachel and Lisa get here and tell me some terrible news…my younger cousin Troy has gone blind. Troy is Uncle Kevin (of severed thumb fame) and Aunt Marcia’s son. So we were anxious to visit with him while we were in town seeing the rest of his family. Uncle Kevin owns a large farm and Troy’s house sits on the edge of it, so we knew we could visit easily.
We arrive at Kevin and Marcia’s and after pleasantries ask about Troy. Poor guy is only 25 years old and to go blind in his prime is heartbreaking. The exchange goes something like this:
Me: So how is Troy?
K/M: Oh he’s fine. (classic Southern stoicism.)
Me: Where is he?
K/M: He’s at work.
Me: Wow, he’s adapting pretty well then huh?
K/M: What are you talking about?
Me: Well, Nanny (our grandmother, Kevin’s mom) told me.
K/M: About what?
Me: That Troy went blind a few weeks ago.
K/M: What?
Me: Didn’t he? That’s what she said.
K/M: Oh my God. Troy didn’t go blind. He got the hives!
My grandmother had the entire family worried sick. How on earth a skin condition can turn into a sudden and tragic loss of sight during one phone call is beyond me. You can bet that Aunt Marcia was on the phone with Nanny as soon as we pulled out of the driveway!
Bless Your Heart 