Last Monday, I received a prosthetic ear bone. It amazes me what modern technology, and a good surgeon, are capable of. But mostly I see it as a gift from God.
With each pregnancy over the last 7 years, I've lost hearing. After Rachel was born I'd lost about 75% in my right ear and 25% in the left. After some testing, the ENT specialist informed me that due to hormonal changes, one of the three bones in my middle ear had malfunctioned, but could be replaced (via laser surgery) with a small prosthetic bone. So, six years ago, I got my right ear back.
Since then, I've slowly lost the hearing in my left ear, until it was basically useless. So, last Monday I had surgery once again. I was disappointed to have to go under anesthesia this time (apparently I was being "uncooperative" - but as I can't recall any of it, I can't defend myself on that count!), but this week has been somewhat surreal. Life suddenly got LOUDER.
For the past several days it has come and gone - sometimes I can't hear a thing, while other times it feels like everyone is yelling through a megaphone right into my ear. This is "normal", the surgeon says, and could last for several months.
I see this as a gift for a number of reasons. But there's one unexpected gift I hadn't even thought about: the gift of music. I didn't even realize how "fuzzy" sounding everything was on Sunday mornings, just sort of dull and the tones always sounded a little off. But this morning . . . WOW. Amazing. I was able to worship like I haven't for a long time, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of hearing a room full of people lifting their voices to the Savior; the crystal clear instrumentation; the ebbing and flowing and intermingling of harmonies. It all felt like it was right there inside my head! It sort of reminded me of when I got glasses for the first time, and was blown away to see every leaf on every tree in vivid detail.
I think that tomorrow morning, and many mornings to follow, when the kiddos all wake up yelling and carrying on, I will be tempted not to refer to this as the gift that it is (or when Danny starts to snore and I can no longer roll over onto my "good" ear). But I am so grateful for a God who not only gives me what I need, but lavishes on my so many things that are just . . . gravy. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of this morning.
7 comments:
No wonder you said you were uncomfortable in the nursery this morning. You probably shouldn't sit next to me in church - now you can actually hear how bad my singing voice really is!!!
Wow Charity! That's just awesome. I never knew this about you. So glad you are doing well.
Ma, I had a blast with you in the 2's & 3's! But yes, the noise level was a bit overwhelming for a while. :) And please don't stop singing around me - it was a total blessing just to hear everyone around around me lifting their voices in praise.
Margaret, thanks! You all sounded beautiful yesterday.
sweet!
thanking God with you!
This reminds me of when you got your glasses when you were younger. You said "Wow, I didn't know the trees actually had individual leaves on them." or something to the effect that the trees didn't look like a big blob anymore! So glad you got the surgery!
Isn't it amazing the medical knowledge and abilities God has given man?
So glad you were able to have this surgery and that things have improved for you!
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