Closed Off From The World -- It's Just The Circle Of Life

We're born, from our mothers. The first second we cannot see anything. We don't know anything. But finally, we can move. We see two people, the doctor calls them "parents." A woman cradles me in her arms. I feel warm and safe when I'm there. I don't see anything, but I know that soon I will. I see a man who picks me up and kisses me on the head. "I love you" he whispers as he cradles me softly. Then we went to a place called home. When we got into the home, I felt something soft beneath me. My daddy called it a blanket. He said I was a miracle. After weeks, my eyes didn't open. We don't understand what anything is, except that there are two people caring for us. We seem special, we drink something my daddy calls "special." My mommy says were not "normal." I don't know what this means. But this is just part of my life. After a month, my eyes still didn't open. I couldn't see anything. my mommy said something to my daddy about me being blind. What does that mean mommy? You guys let me eat something sweet and said it was my birthday. 1

I am one year old now. I still cannot look through my eyes. I felt something smooth today. When I played it a noise came out. It's called a piano. I wish I could see it. I said my first word today, mama. Then I said dada. It was nice to hear that my parents were finally contented with me. Through everything, despair and hope, I keep moving on. Through faith and love, I know I will find where I belong. I know that it cannot be here. They say they love me, but I'm special. They say it's in a bad way. I love them with all of my tiny heart, but they can't see that. I can't see anything. 2

Today you said I was two. I can walk now and I can talk, but I still cannot see. I wish you would be proud of me mommy. You dressed me up and told me it was Halloween. You said I was a pumpkin. I don't know what that is, but she told me it looked cute. I wish I could see that. My mom told me to taste something called candy. It was sweet and tasted like sugar. I like it mommy. 3

Today you told me I was three. I was taller and I still could not see. I can talk well now and you can talk to me and I am happy. I wish I could see how I looked. 4

Today you told me I was four. I tasted the cake again and I enjoyed the sweet taste. I was much taller, and my daddy told me things called stories. They were about princes and princesses. Too bad I couldn't see my daddy tell them to me. 5

Today you told me I was five. You said this was a special age, I would be going to something called school. I was scared of this school, there were other kids. I went anyway. Today was my first day of this school. My mom walked me in and sat me down. I heard a girl say "hi" and I said "hi" back at her. She asked what my cane was for and I said that I couldn't see so I needed that so I wouldn't bump into people. She said "you may not be able to see, but you can feel this." I felt her lips on my cheek. She called it a kiss. She was really nice. "You're really cute," she said. I said "I wish I could say that too, but I can't see your face." She said it was OK, but it was not with me. 6

Today you told me I was six. You said I was getting older and much taller. I still couldn't see anything. I could play the piano now, but it didn't sound pretty because I couldn't see what I was playing. I went to an elementary school. I knew there were bigger kids there. They called me no eyes. That really hurt mommy. 7

Today you told me I am 7. I still can't see. You called me Cecil, and told me it means blind. I don't like that name mommy. Everybody at school makes fun of me mommy. I don't like it. Please make it stop. 8

Today you told me I am 8. As a birthday present, you told me you would give me the gift of seeing. You said I was born with no eyes, but they can give me some. I heard a man called a doctor say that I will be alright. I felt something touching where my eyes were supposed to be. Mommy, I can see! I saw your face shining through the window. I ran out of the room into your arms. "I love you mommy." "I love you too darling." "Mommy, how did all of this happen?" "Sweetie, it's just the circle of life."