Our Ladies’ Life class last night was a discussion about our blessings.  I’ve been very mindful of my blessings and have added a lot to that list over the last couple of months.  I’ve been reading an assigned book from our ASL class and have realized a few other blessings I have in my life.  The author of the book goes into detail about her experience of sudden hearing loss and a lot of medical and technical info about the ears and their anatomy and function as well as many different options and ways that technology can and cannot help.  What I hadn’t realized is that 50% of people who have the type of hearing loss that I’ve had also have problems with vertigo (dizziness) and balance and/or tinnitus (ringing of the ears and other phantom sounds).  All of these things vary in degree of intensity, but can be extremely debilitating.  I feel so blessed that I am in the 50% that do not have major issues with those things.  Some people can’t walk because of the balance issues or can’t lift up their heads without severe vomiting from the vertigo.  I’m truly thankful that I don’t deal with these things.  The parts of the ear that cause these are right there with the parts that cause the sensorineural hearing loss, so I feel very blessed.  It really could have gone either way.  Someone last night also mentioned that seeing the number of people who are taking the ASL class so that they can talk to me no matter what happens was very encouraging to them.  I thought that was cool.  I knew it was encouraging to me, but hadn’t really thought about the impact that would have on others.  I seriously have a long list of things I consider blessings in my life (I’m sure most of you do, too).  I think I’m going to spend some time today thinking about it and trying to add a few more things to the list!  I know they’re there, I just need to notice them! It never hurts to be MORE thankful and more aware of those things!   It’s been so much fun seeing people practice signing!  We don’t know much yet, but Wed. night at church multiple people were trying to greet each other and “introduce” themselves in ASL and last night at ladies’ class we all practiced some finger spelling together!  So much fun.  It makes it easier to be “in this together.”  Cody seems to have a great memory for this stuff.  He signs to me at home and remembers things I didn’t even remember talking about in class, much less remember the sign for it!  This is going to be great!  I don’t think about the extra effort and concentration it takes for me to follow conversations as much as I used to, but I thought it was interesting that Wed. night when I was able to sign to a group as I was leaving the building, it was almost a feeling of relief!  Weird, I know, but it was just so EASY to say goodbye without having to go stand close, and make sure my good ear was turned the right way, concentrate, etc.  It surprised me that I had that feeling.  I don’t think I’ll ever have to fully rely on sign language, but it may prove more helpful than I realized in ways I haven’t really thought about yet.