Two Makes Whole

[“Two Makes Whole” original sold, but prints available: https://www.stephaniehock.com/prints) Last Friday I went in to get LASIK and had some complications which meant I had to get a different eye surgery (PRK) instead. I’m so grateful to have the same result—corrected vision— either way, and grateful that nothing went majorly wrong and I’m not permanently blind or anything. But what was supposed to be a 12 hour quick recovery has turned into a much longer, much more painful ordeal. I’ve sat for the last three days mostly in a dark room with sunglasses trying not to open my eyes. When I have opened them (and the pain subsided), I’ve had double, blurred vision that gives me headaches. Slowly, slowly it’s gotten a little bit better as the days have gone on. Today’s day five and I can sort of read my phone again. It’s been a challenge, for not just me, but everyone I live with. I thought often of this painting I did awhile ago, my version of what marriage looks like. This weekend has been him filling up our entire circle and me contributing very little. I’m so humbled by love. I’m so humbled there’s someone in this world who is willing to share his money with me, to do work I can’t get to, to take care of me in the most gentle ways, to sacrifice things he wants to make me happy, make my dreams come true. How is another human willing to be this kind and unselfish toward me, this giving? I wonder sometimes if we experience physical challenges (temporary blindness, in my case) only to make sure we can really SEE what we have. I’ve been so grateful most of all for such a wonderful husband, but also such helpful children and other kind friends and family members who have all reached out in different ways and shown me love. I am recommitted to giving all that love back out to the world to help others when they need to be filled up. “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make” (one more way the Beatles got it right).