Over the last week, I had the pleasure of spending time in Anaheim as a volunteer at the Barbershop Harmony Society convention. On Friday, the emcees of the contest were twin brothers with a great sense of humor and…both blind.
As I listened, laughed and watched their banter, I was reminded of my parents (both John and Larry Gassman have a build similar to that of my father – though my apologies to the brothers as they are much younger and very much alive 
.
My parents were very much in love with two very active little girls and both of them blind.
As the music continued over the course of the day, I found myself reflecting on our time together and many of the lessons they taught me through their daily living. Moreover, even though they have passed on, there are insights that are reinforced every day.
Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some 50 lessons that I have learned from either them at the time, or as a result of hind-sight.
Starting with something close to home – Happiness is a choice that we make every moment of our lives.
My parents had plenty of opportunity for choices..
My (Russian) mother was born in Shanghai and spent much of her youth in a convent while both of her parents worked. Actually, when she was born, my grandmother cut off her own braid and would leave my mother in her crib with the braid and a bottle. The doctors couldn’t make up their mind if my mother was smart enough to be educated since one would come through and say put her in school, and then the next would say that her blindness affected her intelligence and it was a waste of time. In the 40’s their family escaped on a refugee ship to the Philippians and finally landing in California.
On the other hand, my father was born in Oklahoma and enjoyed sports and looked to the possibilities of serving in the Marines until he had a stroke at the age of 17, which resulted in a severe loss of sight. The endless search for answers and cures took their toll on my grandparents and yet – their faith that the answer was there somewhere kept them going. Over time, they too moved to California.
With their vision challenges as well as my father’s ongoing health issues associated with the brain tumor, my parents still took the time to show each other and us how they cared very deeply for each other. I know there were times when it was hard for them with hospital appointments, young children and so many other distractions that accompany raising a family. However, they still had their faith in God, love for life and a belief in the possibilities. They made a choice to be happy and make the most of every moment they had together. They made a choice to give my sister and I the same opportunity. They would fill our home with friends and relatives, laughter, love and music until the day they died.
I think it was a pretty good lesson on how to live and how to choose to be happy.
Stay tuned for the second installment!
In Harmony,
Kira Wagner
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