Why Easter is for me

For as long as I shall live, I shall always cherish Easter. For this special season not only brings me joy and peace in the risen Christ, it is also the season that signified the birth of new vision for me. It is the time when I received vision after my first cornea transplant and as I sit here writing this, I can feel the goose bumps sliding down my back and the tears rolling down my cheeks. Ah yes! So many years ago and the memory is as fresh as a breeze in a bottle!

I did not build up my expectations before the surgery. I trusted in God and willed myself to accept whatever came and come it did. The vision did not come all at once and that was good for me as it gave me time to take it all in.

Whenever someone asks me to describe the experience in a few words, my response is: “It was like coming out of the dark and stepping into a world of bright lights. A whole new world and so much for me to explore and experience!” I don’t think that anyone could or would really understand what it meant to me but this is what it was.

A world of exploding colors: bright red roses, golden yellow sun, fresh green grass, skies so blue, snowflakes so white and pure, and most of all the faces of my parents and friends. There was so much for me to see and at times I felt so overwhelmed, just like a kid in a candy shop! I would walk along the sidewalks in Montreal and simply treat myself to looking at passersby. I would watch TV and simply adore my Montreal Canadiens hockey team playing their hearts out! They would eventually win the Stanley Cup that year!

Dad would sit with me and watch patiently as I learned to read the headlines in the newspapers. Mom showed me pictures in magazines. Char, my best friend, taught me how to roller skate and play basketball. She and Jennifer taught me how to read and write and Char spent countless hours helping me to discover and explore downtown Montreal. I played ball and Frisbee in the park with my parents and friends, and the most memorable?

Easter Sunday at Mass at Loyola’s Chapel and seeing myself in the mirror for the very first time. I realized then what I looked like and then I went to see what my parents really looked like. Everything and everyone was so beautiful.

This is why Easter is for me and shall forever be! The best time of my life! The time that my whole world changed forever!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and a very happy Easter.