It's All So Clear!

do you remember that first pair of glasses you got? your incredulous awe at the brilliant clarity... looking in the mirror to see if you still look good with rings around your eyes, and then not caring... running outside and counting the leaves at the top of a 50 ft oak tree... (i just wrote pine tree before i realized they don't have leaves. ok, pine needles...) you remember. unless of course you're one of those people with immaculate physiques, which includes clear eyes with 20/20 vision. but you're just missing out on the revelation. not only do i vividly remember my personal experience with a second pair of eyes, but i love to share a little of the excitement with someone else when they get their first pair. as i rode my bike away from the music building this evening, i passed tiago on the sidewalk. he had the hugest grin plastered on his handsome face, and was pointing in mute ecstasy at his sharp new rims. "wonderful! you got new glasses?" "no!" he replied, in his thick portuguese accent, "my first pair! it's amazing!" i laughed, "didn't know what you were missing did you?" he walked off chuckling with delight, and i couldn't help feeling a little warm happiness myself as i rode on, wearing a bit of the smile he greeted me with. i didn't bother to extol the joys of contacts to him. yet...