I held off saying anything about this until my sister wrote about it and she now has. My nephew, her eldest son, was jumped by three strangers last weekend while walking a very short distance to the hotel he was staying in with his girlfriend’s family. They’d all been together for a family wedding in Columbus, which is where my nephew lives while attending Ohio State University. The three attackers appeared out of nowhere, beat him up, and left. It all happened within a minute. Maybe less. He was punched repeatedly in the face and kicked in the ribs. He’s okay. But his face is swollen, he has two black eyes, and very sore ribs.
He had been planning on coming home for a visit this week and he arrived the other day. Now Meredith can take care of him and make sure he’s recovering.
Attacking someone just to do it. Just for the thrill of it. That’s what happened. They didn’t take his wallet, they didn’t steal his phone. They just beat him up.
I’m sure you can imagine the words I have been using when speaking of the attackers. I won’t use them here. I’m furious and outraged and sad. My sweet and funny and kind nephew; I hate that he’s had to experience something like this. But thank God, he’s okay. There’s no lasting physical damage.
If you have the time, go on over to Meredith’s blog and give her a virtual hug, won’t you? She could use one. And send some love and healing to my nephew. Thank you.
I went to the eye doctor and had my eyes examined yesterday. After many years of needing no glasses for distance, my eyes have changed and now I should wear glasses for driving and watching a movie or a play. I could still pass an eye test for driving and recently did. But the fact is, I need them. And I also need glasses for reading, which I already knew. I got a nicely worded lecture on NOT using readers, which I have been wearing for a few years now. Guilty, as charged. I already knew I shouldn’t be wearing them, but budget constraints kept me from ordering real glasses. So, while the constraints are still holding us firmly in their grasp, I knew I had to get glasses. My eyes were getting tired and were not making the adjustment to distance after working online. And I’d noticed that I wasn’t seeing quite as clearly when driving.
Thankfully, they have different options there and I’ve order two pair in what are called Value Packs. So, while they aren’t completely inexpensive, they are much less expensive than a trendy frame, etc. They’ll do.
We talked about progressive lenses, but they’re much more expensive and you have to change the way you read, which is something I didn’t want to do. I decided to go with one pair for reading and one pair for driving. I did ask the doctor about computer screens and if they were seeing a whole new category of eye strain due to people spending hours on the computer and she said yes. Some people get glasses specifically for work at the computer and have another pair just for normal reading. Welcome to the 21st century.
It’s a beautiful day out there. I think it’s time to mow again.
There’s a book review up on Just Let Me Finish This Page – the first book in a great new series. Stop by.
Happy Friday.
So very sorry to read about what happened to your nephew. Every day at work I deal with people who do appalling things (assault, drug dealing and so much worse) ‘just because’. It makes me despair at times.
Many thoughts and prayers from our household for your nephew’s healing – physically and emotionally.
Thank you, Barbara.
Claudia, How sad to hear how your nephew was violated in this way. Why are bad people picking on innocent people, I will never understand this. Doris
Neither will I, Doris. Thank you.
I’ve worn glasses since I was 8 years old. I got progressive lenses about 15 years ago and the beauty is that they work for close work like reading, mid-range work like computers, and distance. They are very expensive, but I keep a pair for two years. If my eyes weren’t so bad (I walk into walls without my glasses) I would get a less expensive option.
I’m very sorry about what happened to your nephew, I can’t begin to understand such senseless cruelty.
My eyes aren’t all that bad, according to the doctor, but they have changed in the past few years. So glasses it is!
Thank you for your kind words about my nephew.
What thugs! I’m wondering if this was an outrageous case of mistaken identity? Your nephew wasn’t attacked because of who he is…either mistaken identity or thugs looking for trouble. Either way, I’m so sorry your nephew got caught in a horrible situation. I’m glad the physical will heal, but the psychological will take a more time with love and support.
I’ve been wearing glasses since the third grade, and was shocked when I got progressives a few years ago…expensive is right! My vision insurance doesn’t cover much at all.
I’m planning for a drought-tolerant front yard to be planted soon and now I’m reading predictions of an El Niño winter with torrents of rain. can’t win…
We don’t have any vision insurance, unfortunately! Wish we did. Ah, well.
No, I don’t think it was mistaken identity. This has become a ‘thing’ a random attack, just for kicks. Sometimes it just involves one punch. At others, it’s a pummeling – done very quickly, so no one can catch them. They were dressed in black.
I am so sorry about what happened to your nephew. I know exactly what you are thinking. My brother was jumped by 7 coming home from work one evening. There is just no reason for this kind of behavior. Hugs to your sister and your nephew.
hugs
It’s awful. I’m so sorry to hear about your brother, Nancy.
Thank you for your kind words.
I am so sorry to hear what happened to your nephew. What a world we live in now. It takes a lot of work some days to think of all the good that is also in the world.
I was diagnosed a few years ago with a type of fast growing cataract called Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts. They can strike at any age and I went legally blind in the first eye within a few months. I had eye surgery and got a new lens implanted and could, for the first time, see road signs without glasses. It took over a year for the second eye to go blind (an insurance requirement to pay for the surgery), and I had a mid-range lens implanted in this one, for computer work. Now I have mono-vision, with different vision ranges in each eye. Not everyone can adapt to mono-vision, but I did just fine. I only have to wear reading glasses if the text is quite small or the light is not very bright. All this to say yes, more people do have lenses to help them use the computer!
Wow – Debra. This is fascinating. I’m so glad your vision has been restored!
I’m so sorry to hear about your nephew…such a senseless attack. Almost sounds like some kind of gang initiation. Hugs to both your nephew and Meredith! I’ve been cheating on readers myself….thanks for the reminder that I need to see an eye doctor. I only have trouble reading…someone keeps shrinking the print! Have fun mowing….we are going to spread a little mulch….before it gets really uncomfortable! ;)
I think it’s supposed to get more humid here tomorrow, so I think today would be a good day to tackle the front lawn, Donnamae. Thanks for your kind thoughts.
Read Meredith’s post already. So sad and so unnecessary/ What is this world coming to?
You know when you get near the age of 40 your eyes change? So, guess you are approaching that age!
Judy
Ha! That put a smile on my face, Judy! Love to you, my friend
Take your prescription to Sears optical. They are having twofer deals right now.
Your nephew is I my thoughts.
Thanks for the idea, Cindy, but it’s already being filled. Thank you for your kind thoughts!
Oh Claudia, I read about Meredith’s son on her blog. What a terrible thing to happen to him. Virtually the same thing happened to my nephew last week in Nebraska. He got his nose completely smashed up…just after he had sinus surgery last year. They completely destroyed the work the surgery did and now he is looking at a complete redo. Black eyes, bruises all over his body. And they took nothing. What is wrong with people these days? Beating people up for no reason at all. It all makes me so sad.
I have to wear glasses for reading too, All part of growing older, or so my eye doctor tells me.
Blessings,
Betsy
I’m so sorry to hear about your nephew, Betsy. I don’t understand such wanton cruelty. I hope he has begun healing and I’m sending a prayer his way.
Hoping your nephew is back to 100% very soon. I wish there was a way for his attackers to experience what he went through, because sadly I think for most of these “young people” it would be the only way to get them to stop. And who knows, maybe not even then? To call the whole scenario baffling – and depressing – is an understatement. PS – I just read something about a WWII vet in his 90s who STILLl has 20/20 vision. Isn’t that something? I had to get my first glasses in my mid 40s, so I want to find out what that guy was eating. We all need a lot more of it, whatever it is!! Have a good weekend and try to keep cool – sounds like there’s August weather coming round again…
I got my first pair of glasses in high school – I used to need them for distance. Then my eyes changed and I no longer needed them for that, and as I went through my forties, I started to need them to read. And now I need them for reading and driving. Oy.
I can only hope karma hits those attackers square in the face.
So very sorry to hear about your nephew. How absolutely horrible! I am glad there is no lasting damage and he will be OK. This is when I hope that karma is a real thing.
Me too. I’m hoping that karma gets them big time, so they realize what pain – physical and emotional – they put their victims through.
Hi Claudia,I am So So Sorry to hear about Meredith s Boy,your nephew. What a dirty rotten shame! ( Please forgive my language,)
Your family will be in my prayers.
I am wondering what were the reasons the eye Dr. gave for not using “readers”?
-Judy A-
Well, if you have an astigmatism, as I do, they don’t help because all they do is magnify and don’t take into account that your individual eyes may have very different needs. And then, if you’re using readers all the time, especially at the computer, it gets harder for your eyes to adjust when you move away from the screen. In my case, I think it had to do with my eyes having different strengths and weaknesses.
Thank You Claudia, My friend. -Judy A-
I have said it before…..and will say it again. Not that it is the sole cause, but the way people who are leading or want to lead in positions of authority,,,,even in governmental positions,,,,talk to and about each other, as a society we are teaching that tolerance is not a necessary tool for one to posses. They say whatever they want and apologize for little to nothing. What are we doing to our world? Why would we expect young people not to emulate that behavior? It is so very sad. I am so upset for Meredith and her family. What in the world is wrong with us??
I wholeheartedly agree. What kind of lessons are those who should know better teaching our young people? When all we hear, either on news shows or on the campaign trail or online or on reality shows is disrespectful, that’s going to teach intolerance. And that brutality and unkind words have no consequences.
I don’t understand it. But I am heartbroken for my nephew and for my sister’s family. And for everyone who has had to deal with unprovoked violence.
When I read Meredith’s post I cried. How scary and cruel is this world. I am so glad he is OK, but the beating for no other reason then to just hurt someone is beyond me. I knew you were probably beside yourself also. I have gotten very careful where I go especially at night. The older I get and if I’m alone I’m a target. Scary.
I had to get reading glasses at around 40 (love Judy’s comment) and then glasses that helped with reading and the computer distance. Now I need trifocals for reading, computer and distance. I could never wear the progressive lens (they drove me crazy trying to find the right spot to see through) but I’m OK with my trifocals and I want inexpensive and sturdy when I purchase.
I did a post on my blog about all my McCoy pottery (fyi).
hugs,
Linda
One would think you’d be safe walking a block in a city, but apparently not – be careful, everyone.
I have a feeling I’d go with bifocals or trifocals rather that progressive lenses. The woman who helped me yesterday said that progressives were often annoying to people who read all the time. Or play the piano. That’s me!
I saw your post and left a comment, Linda! Love, love your pieces.
Thanks Claudia! Your comments don’t come to my email inbox for some reason and I have to remember to check back on the post itself! You have been a good influence on me with McCoy pottery@
Aww, Im so sad about your nephew but I hate to say it, it’s just the horrible truth of the world we live in. It’s not acceptable in any way but that’s the type of people roaming our streets now :( Im so thankful he will heal, but emotionally how has it affected him? Welcome to the world of needing glasses. Im the same as you, I need one pair to drive and one to read so what I do is wear none, not the right option but I hate to have two pair. I also try and avoid driving at night.
I wonder about the emotional aftereffects. We’ll have to wait and see. Driving at night is a little dicey for me too. I’ve had glasses off and on since I was a kid. But my sight sort of corrected itself there for a while. Now, it’s changed again. So here I go with two pair!
I’m glad you got your eye thing worked out. My gosh, I’ve had to wear glasses since I was in the 5th grade; you’re lucky you’ve gotten by this far. I’m told we inherit the vision gene through the mother and, yes, Mother had worn glasses since she was in high school; my sibling had to get glasses in 3rd grade although, upon passing away unexpectedly when only in the early 30s, the corneas could still be donated to help someone else, which was, I don’t know the word, redemptive(?). (In everything that was senseless, it made sense; a young life gone, not in vain.) I have inherited my mother’s glaucoma now. She also had a tendency to develop cataracts, and I’ve got one, too. My dad? He was well into his 80s when he died and he still only needed eyeglasses for close work/reading, which I don’t think he started using until he was in his 70s. Claudia, for all the work you do with books and the computer, it was just essential you get your eyes evaluated. You were smart to do it. I think you will be much more comfortable now. I know the distress with worsening vision. In my case, it’s a factor of age and prescription drugs (side effects) which I cannot live without.
What a horrible thing to have happened in your family and to the young nephew. I will not understand, ever, what goes wrong in the mind of another, to hurt or maim or kill when our natural soul is to want to extend comfort, help, friendliness and love. Where I live, there is a lot of gang activity and sometimes these acts of violence are gang dares. Unprovoked attacks; on innocent people and innocent animals. Makes me want to crawl under the covers and just put a blanket over my head.
My mom wore glasses from a young age, as did I, but my eyes corrected themselves for a while. Now, they’ve changed again and I have to have two pair. Ah, well.
It might well have been some sort of gang initiation. Or just wanton violence. But, they’re really the same thing, aren’t they. I find it so, so horrifying.
I stopped reading above and clicked over to write to Meridith..what a nightmare for parents to go through..Are you going to show us your new glasses?.. Have a nice weekend..it’s going to be a hot one here…
I don’t have them yet. Hopefully, next week sometime!
OMG Claudia…I can’t believe what happened to your nephew. You don’t want to know the word that flew out of my mouth when I read the story. As you know, I have a college-aged son too, and I worry about his safety all the time. I guess if we try and look at the positive about this, it’s that your nephew will be OK physically. I hope he will be OK mentally, too. That is serious stuff. I will definitely go over to Meredith’s blog and leave her a comment.
Glasses…I’ve been wearing them since I was 8! I am very near-sighted and a little bit far-sighted. I’ve been wearing progressive lenses for about 6 years now. My husband wears progressive lenses, too. Yes, they’re very expensive. That’s why both of us wear the same glasses for several years! In fact, I’m overdue to get new ones.
Claudia, I am so sorry that happened to your nephew. It fills me with rage when I think about it. Why, why is this happening? There is something wrong with people who think this is something fun to participate in. It would be so easy for me to say that living in a very small town would keep me safe from that ever happening but no, it could happen anywhere. I hope he recovers physically and that his faith in humanity is not lost.
I miss you in glasses. You rock in glasses! :)
Oh what an awful thing to happen to anyone— just pure evil. Not bad up bringing or wrong environment… It’s just evil intentions! Prayers for your nephew… And family. The whole thing is horrifying.
Glasses:
Well I’m guilty of readers and I honestly know they help me see , but I wonder really if they make the eyes strain harder. I was thinking bi-focal lenses maybe my next step- for now I’m using two pair; one for distance and one for reading. It’s a pain.
I’ve been kind of “absent” lately! My schedule is in shambles because of a medication I have to take every 6 hours (as religiously as possible), for the next couple of months. Six hours (or less) of sleep doesn’t work for me, aarrrggghhhhh :) So forgive my sporadic comments Claudia, and be assured that I’m still a faithful reader.
That’s terrible news about your nephew!! Not feeling safe is one of the worst feelings – prayers and virtual hugs for all of them. Wow, scary stuff!
So far I’ve been able to get by with just readers (with my optometrists blessing) … I hope that continues on since glasses can be so spendy. If it’s not one thing it’s another … life is expensive ;)
I am so sorry to hear about your nephew – what a terrible shocking thing to happen. I have been through a violent crime with a family member and it is so hard! Sending love and hugs.
Yes,that kind of random violence is hard to come to terms with. Hope your nephew is well on his way in recovering.