I was walking Jack and Marina this morning and saw a neighbor walking her dog. This isn't unusual, but what was unusual about it was that she was wearing glasses. I'd never seen her wear glasses before.

It got me to thinking about glasses. I remember when I first got mine, back in the 3rd or 4th grade. I was so excited about it and remember walking out of the optician's office and noticing how clearly I could see. At first, it looked like I was walking downhill all the time, but I got used to it. I wasn't too concerned about vanity yet, or impressing boys, so I was a happy "four eyes".

Then, my teenage years hit and I bought into the old saying that "guys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses" so I got contact lenses for the first time. I struggled with them and put up with all kinds of discomfort, but, in my mind, it was worth it.

After I became a wife, and especially a mother, I just didn't have time for all the frustration of contacts so I returned to glasses and wear them still today. I've been through all kinds of styles...the big 70s ones that almost covered your whole face, the kinder, gentler wire rims that barely covered my eyes, and now I'm in the Ashley Banfield/Tina Fey type design. If money was no object, I'd have all different kinds of glasses, as I enjoy the various styles available today.

Finally, I just have to say that I'm very grateful that I'm in a place where I can have vision correction. Just how much would I miss out on, if I couldn't see clearly, not to mention how dangerous would I be to myself and others, especially behind the wheel of a car!

I also think about all the people in the world who go through life without having the opportunity to have vision correction. I know in the big scheme of things, having 20/20 vision is not as important as having your next meal, but then again, I have both, and for that, I'm very grateful.