Remember When 40 Was Old?

I can still remember my first days as a twenty six year old optometrist. I was young and green. I remember examining patients who had turned 40 and were losing their near vision. The complaints rang in my ears daily. Everything from, "My arms are too short" to "I can't see to thread my needle". I remember vividly looking at these 40 somethings and thinking under my breath, "These folks are old."

Now that I have reached the pinnacle in life we call THE BIG FOUR ZERO and surpassed it by five years, I am looking back at 40 and thinking it is not quite as old as I once thought. In fact, I look at forty as young these days. The aches and pains of a forty-five year old are much more persistent than they were at forty. The memory and hearing is not quite as sharp as it was then. The wrinkles on the face are a little more pronounced and the mid section is carrying a little more weight these days. And the eyes, the old wonderful eyes, they are not quite as good as they were back then. No line progressive bifocal lenses hide the fact that I can not see up close. Seems as though a lot of things have changed since I became old.

Look Who We Are Following!

Years ago my wife, who is Roman Catholic, was in a Bible study with several Baptist ladies. One of the ladies in the group made the comment that Catholics just don't understand salvation like the Baptists do. This lady may have been right to some extent. There is definitely different interpretations of this issue among believers. Differences not only exist between Roman Catholics and Baptists, but there are also differences in interpretation from one protestant denomination to the next. I would even argue that protestants like me to our own degree don't understand salvation like the Roman Catholics do.

One thing that all people forget is that we as believers have more in common than all the differences we have. Many of these shared beliefs are not always just with Christians but also with Jews.

Everyone in my family has a great sense of humor and we like to find humor in the every day activities of life. So when Julie saw the truck above, she said, "LOOK WE ARE ALL FOLLOWING JESUS!" Of course she was joking about the truck when she said this, but I began to think that it really would have been a great response to the Baptist lady several years ago.

I Wonder If?

On the way to the beach this week, I noticed several billboard signs as well as hand painted signs with messages like this. "REPENT OR BURN IN HELL" These signs can be seen scattered throughout the Bible belt states from time to time as one drives across the south. I am not a big believer in this type of "in your face" religion. But after seeing all the signs (pun intended), I wonder if...they make a difference?

Handwashing in Alabama

This week we have traveled to Gulf Shores, Alabama to enjoy some rest and relaxation at the beach. Gulf Shores is called the "Redneck Riviera" for good reason. I love it down here but it always provides me with things to ponder. This week is providing lots of little topics to explore in the blogging world.

The first is the topic of hand washing. On the trip down, we stopped at a restaurant for lunch. While in the restroom, my son saw a boy around the age of 6-7 years old using the restroom. The little boy's father stood watching as he finished his business. The little boy started to head over to the sink to wash his hands. That is when my son heard the father exclaim, "You are not prepping for surgery boy, let's go eat."

Man's Best Friend!

It's been said that dogs are man's best friend. I read somewhere that pet owners have lower blood pressure readings. I am not sure mine is any lower. I suppose there are studies to support just about anything.

There are many advantages to dog ownership. They always meet you eagerly at the door. They love you unconditionally, yet they depend on you for every need. They always listen. Some have big dogs and some of us have small foo foo dogs. Some hunt and some just lay around. No matter what your dog is like...I am betting that they are considered a member of the family.

I Lost A Friend Yesterday!

Wayman Tisdale died yesterday after a two year battle with cancer and I have lost a friend.

Most remember him for his basketball play at the University of Oklahoma. I still remember Memphis State playing Wayman Tisdale and the Sooners to get the final four in 1985. In addition to setting several records at Oklahoma, he went on to a productive career in the NBA.

I must confess. I have never met Wayman Tisdale but we have shared a lot of time together. "How?", you ask. Well, after his NBA career, Wayman Tisdale went on to become one of the most well-known names in contemporary jazz. He played the bass guitar as if he was telling a story. Even though I have never met him personally, I have spent a lot of time with Wayman. Most of this time was in my car on the way to and from work as well as other places. I would listen intently as Wayman played the bass almost as if he was talking with me. His music graced the local jazz station until it was taken off the air. Now, I listen to him on XM radio. Making one of his concerts was on my list of things to do someday. Now, I will never get that chance.

So today, I say goodbye to a friend. Fortunately, for all the jazz enthusiasts out there, Wayman will live on in his music and in our hearts.

Help Me, I've Got HCD!

Hypeconnectivity Disorder. It's a term used to describe those of us who are "too connected". If you are reading this blog, chances are you have it too. It may not be quite as bad as my case, but you have it.

We have got answering machines, call waiting, call forwarding, cell phones, and smartphones. It's a "If you want me, you got me world." Add to that the internet, email, My Space, Facebook, Plaxo, and Twitter and, well, you get the picture. We are just too connected.

How does one relax? How do I get away? Emails, texts, and calls. It never stops. At least with Attention Deficit Disorder, one can take a medication. What do I do? I need help! Maybe those three words are my first step to a solution.

Just What Does That Mean Anymore?

Recently we received an invitation to the National Honors Society induction dinner and ceremony for my daughter. On the bottom it stated Sunday attire required.

Growing up in the Bible belt, that meant a nice conservative dress for a lady and a suit and tie or sport coat and tie for the man. Times have really changed. In many Presbyterian and Methodist churches across the south, the dress habits have not changed too much. In the summer you might find a few guys in golf shirts or dress shirts without ties and do see a few ladies donning slacks in these churches. In many southern Baptist and non-denominational churches, it is not uncommon to hear them promote casual wear such as khaki's and golf shirts for the guys and slacks for the ladies. We even have a church or two in middle Tennessee that promoting blue jeans on Sunday.

I am one of those who believes like the Brent Burns' song says, "God don't care what you wear." I also see the other side of the coin. If I had been invited to meet President Barack Obama or Ex-President George Bush, I would probably wear a suit and tie so why would I not give the same respect to God that I would give an elected official.

This brings me back to my original question, Sunday attire required, just what does that mean anymore?

Macular Degeneration and Stem Cells

I realize that the topic I am about to weigh in on is very controversial. There is a recent article out suggesting that Macular Degneration may be cured with stem cells. Click here. I can tell you that as an optometrist, if this treatment becomes mainstream that many will be helped. Macular Degeneration is a devastating eye disease which causes blindness in many people each year. As the baby boomers age, the numbers with macular degeneration will increase. It is devastating to patients physically and mentally.

Yes, I know all of the arguments against stem cell research. The fact that an embryo is destroyed is not to be taken lightly. However, when couples go in for "in vitro" fertilization, many embryos are made. Only a few are used to make a child. The leftover embryos are destroyed. My moral question is if these are going to be destroyed, why should we not use them for research.

Many argue the religious and moral implications to destroying human embryos. However, the Catholic church is one of the few churches which is consistent in opposing stem cell research and "in vitro" fertilization techniques. Based on that, I can see where the Catholic church can put up such an argument. Most religions are all over the map when it comes to issues such as these.

Many of the faithful of all religions would never tell a church member who is having trouble conceiving to not seek medical treatments such as "in vitro" because the leftover embryos will be destroyed in the process of making their child. However, these same people will oppose stem cell research fervently for the same reason.

As for me, I am not going to tell anyone who wants to have a child to NOT do "in vitro" because it destroys embryos. I have never been in the position of not being able to conceive a child so I do not understand. I do, however, believe that if these leftover embryos are going to be destroyed then they should be used for stem cell research when the parents have been educated and the parents approve.

I do know what Macular Degeneration does to patients and see the struggles these patients go through daily. I do have an understanding of the battles these patients face and would like to see them helped. You never know, you just might be one of those patients some day.

As for the way I see it, this is exciting news for my Macular Degeneration patients.

LOVE - The 4 Letter Word

Yes, you heard me right. A four letter word. There are times when love is just as bad as all of those other words in our language. You ask, "But how can this be?" Love could never be a bad word. Well, I disagree. Here are a few examples.

When you are up at 4:00 in the morning cleaning up your child's vomit and diarrhea, love is a four letter word.

When you are on your fourth load of laundry and your spouse is enjoying some TV time, love is a four letter word.

When you are awake at 2:00 in the morning listening to your spouse snore, love is a four letter word.

When you are a teenager and your parent says you have to be home at 10:00 and all your friends are out until 11:00, love is a four letter word.

When you put your dog to sleep so you can put it out of it's misery, love is a four letter word.

And last but not least, when your teen says, "But Dad, we are in love!" I think that is obviously a four letter word.