Seeing Through Someone Else's Eyes

Today I picked up my new pair of glasses. The frames are those of my maternal great-grandmother, Maverette. My great-grandmother was a stately woman who wrote beautiful notes in cards. She was very elegant and had excellent manor-- always smiling and very much in control. Maverette mothered three girls with an alcoholic and abusive husband who she left soon after her last daughter was born. My grandmother was the oldest of the three.

Maverette was an expert embroiderer, sewer, and knitter. She made absolutely exquisite and intricate work—classy, and prim and proper crafts.

The last time I saw her was when I was nineteen. It was her ninetieth birthday. You would have never known the woman just turned ninety had it not been for her coke-bottle thick rose-tinted glasses. She had glaucoma and wore giant black sunglasses to shield the light from her cataracts. Regardless, the woman continued to create her magnificent works of art, only now with a magnifying glass.

About two years ago, my great-grandmother began to deteriorate from old age, and died at home after the intense and personal care that my grandmother gave to her.

Last November, I looked through my late great-grandmother’s jewelry boxes that my mother inherited. Looking carefully at each piece of jewelry, I noticed a beautiful blue silk Asian bag at the bottom of the box. I un-zipped it and revealed the most beautiful pair of my
great-grandmother's eyeglasses. I immediately put them on—intense bifocals and her signature rosy-amber tinted lenses. They fit my face shape and personality perfectly.

Just yesterday I got my prescription fitted to the frames. And today they are mine! I assume they are from the 1940's or 1950's--they are in mint condition. It's amazing to look through my great-grandmother's eyes in a very modern and unusual context, most especially since her eyes gave her such trouble. I see the glasses as a symbol of perseverance. I only hope that they bring me as much light and life as they gave to her.

I miss you Maverette and love you dearly. I am so terribly sorry we never officially got to say goodbye to one another. I pray that some how and somewhere you are giving me strength to continue to see life fairly and clearly.

--

This post is part of The Blog Exchange. It originally appeared in a similar form on Jail Diet on January 7, 2007. If you are looking for your regular dose from the uber-talented (and sexy) Kristen, please check out her post here.

Tiffany writes and rants on her blog, Jail Diet. She is currently writing an autobiographical one-woman show, echo chamber, that she will perform in Chicago in May. She is an arts educator who works in public schools that have lost their arts funding, and incorporates non-violence techniques with theater, performance, and improvisation. Tiffany lives in Chicago with her husband, Dexter and spaniel, Rosey.

Comments

[K]

the idea is to sort of not know who it is so you're tempted to visit their blog and read more. and i find in the blog readers some people will skip and not read if they see it's not their 'regular' person.

[A Elliot]

That's a really great story. It's wonderful to have something like that. I like the picture too! I also have to say I loved the story about your first tampon experience!

[Country Mouse]

That's a beautiful post.

However, is it against the rules of these blog exchanges to note that it's an exchange post at the top, instead of at the bottom? I hate thinking I know whose life story I'm reading, and then finding out it's someone else altogether.

[FishyGirl]

What a wonderful pair of glasses and great family heirloom. They look great on you!

[K]

Hostess Kristen dropprd the ball and did not post the pic. Will do it now!

[JailDiet]

Jail Diet's photo of the glasses can be seen at this link below:

http://jaildiet.blogspot.com/2007/01/seeing-through-someone-elses-eyes.html

Check 'em out.

[Working Girl]

Tiffany...please post a picture!

[nutmeg]

I'd love to see those glasses!

[Allison]

This was lovely. How nice to have her presence with you every day.

[Amy Jo Momma]

How lovely to be able to keep someone close, both physicially and emotionally. Great post.

[jodi]

Beautiful post!