I had cataract surgery on my left eye yesterday, and it was, to be honest, an amazing experience. The surgery took place in a "surgery center", a place designed solely for brief, outpatient surgeries, and for me it felt like one of the smoothest surgeries ever. The staff and nurses and doctors were relaxed and friendly and full of smiles and laughs, which made things move along in an almost congenial way. I felt totally at ease when  they wheeled me into the operating room, and I loved being semi-awake during surgery, watching the lights flashing above me as the doctor worked on my eye. He was very reassuring, constantly saying "You're doing beautifully" or "Excellent. Keep doing exactly what you're doing."

Of course, another very important aspect of the surgery's success was the loving support I had, moment by moment over the past many days, from my wonderful Cia. She was a supremely watchful caregiver in the days leading up to the surgery, and then on the day itself, and then today, always caring for me in a precise and loving way. How, I ask myself over and over, did I get so lucky!