Pragmatist
Pragmatist

I managed to wear the new ears for most of the day today.  Took them out about an hour ago.  I'm constantly aware that there's something in my ears.

Toward the end of the day, my ears begin to hurt, particularly the right ear.  I think a little bit of stuff needs to be scraped off both pieces.  Feels like there's just a little bit too much in the ear. 

But Boy! do I ever hear!!!  Too much.    I can't help it.  It's noisy out there.  For many years I've been happily going about my business, missing (but not much) a lot of whatever is going on around me.  I wonder if I've seemed rude at times for not responding to someone or a situation.  I got used to shutting out noises when I had a houseful of kids--basic protection, as any mother will agree--and continued to ignore whatever didn't need immediate attention.

It also helped, later, in the office--one of those open spaces plan--to shut out sounds that had nothing to do with me.

However, I now realize that I've been reading lips for a good many years, probably since my early 20s in fact, unconsciously.  Now I don't have to read lips.

But I can't eat crunchy food.  Oh vey! the noise!!!

I got a call this morning from the hearing aid center, asking how I was doing.  They're wonderful people there.  I have to pay for my hearing aids, no HMO assistance as they're not one of my HMO's providers.  But that's okay, too, as they gave me a nice discount, and I'll have free service for the life of my aids, periodic hearing tests for free, and no co-pay with each visit, as I would with the HMO's provider.  I think I have a good deal.  Oh, and my present aids can be used as a down payment toward new ones should I want to upgrade.  Yep, I think I have a good deal.

Saturday was a gala event at shul.  A prominent couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.  And the grandson of the president of the congregation was there along with his beautiful wife and darling son.  Y. is now an ordained rabbi. a sort of traveling salesman (poor analogy, but that's the best I can do right now) for Orthodox Judaism, specifically Chabad.  He's been all over the globe finding Jews in hiding in Russia, uneducated Jews in Africa, displaced Jews in Israel.  He's a Messenger, shaliach in Hebrew.  He is a beautiful young man.  Brilliant smile, charisma a mile wide. funny, bright, dedicated. A credit to his parents and grandparents.

Did I mention I think he's wonderful?

It's been a lovely several days, and tomorrow will be another one.  Rain expected to start on Wednesday.  We need it.

Shalom