Time flies and it never slows down, in fact it seems to speed up. 5 years ago, I was on a camping trip with my best friends and soon to be wife. I was driving, even at night, and was able to off road through the sand dunes of Glamis, California with some visual issues, but for the most part, I was independent.
Friends from all over Southern California would meet in the dunes to celebrate Halloween and my birthday. We would party, drive through the dunes and have a fantastic weekend of fun, adrenaline and adventure.
Reflecting and realizing the difference that 5 years has brought, I can’t deny the fact that in 5 years from today, my vision may be minimal or possibly even gone altogether. Who knows. This disease is a hard one and while I cherish the fact that this isn’t a “life ending” disease but more so a “life changing” one, it doesn’t provide much solace with the reality that darkness is coming from the outside in.
Yesterday I turned 34 years old and celebrated with my amazing and beautiful wife, my vivacious and strong willed daughter and my awesome mother. This birthday was my first since diagnosis and we did exactly what I wanted to do. We stayed home, had a fantastic dinner and an evening in comfort and peace. 5 years ago I was off roading at night in my UTV and now, I don’t even want to leave the house at night for fear of not being able to see due to the failure of my cones causing total blindness at night… RP sucks.
I couldn’t be more grateful for the friends, family and love I have in my life and I know that the road ahead of us is not paved with sunshine and sunflowers but with their love, support, and understanding, I am 100% confident that we will adjust and make the most out of whatever situation we are presented with.
In culmination, enjoy the time in the present. Tomorrow can be much different than today and 5 years can be much different than you can even imagine.