Welcome to another edition of Open Book Blog Hop. This week’s question is: “What did you want for birthday/Christmas that you never got and might be bitter about? Have you bought it for yourself?”
In the 1970’s when I was twelve years old, I thought it would be neat to have a Polaroid camera. At the time, my parents were taking a lot of pictures. Although they used an old-fashioned camera with film that had to be developed, I liked the idea of instant gratification, snapping a shot and seeing it almost immediately.
My mother gently explained to me that because of my visual impairment, she didn’t think I’d be able to use any camera. I got it. Have I been bitter about it? No. It’s just the way life is, and bitterness doesn’t do any good.
Now, I realize that it’s possible for a visually impaired person to learn to use a camera. But my writing and other pursuits keep me busy. I think I’ll stick to doing what I know how to do.
How about you? Is there something you wanted for Christmas or your birthday that you never got? Have you been bitter about it? Did you ever buy it yourself? You can click here to participate in this week’s hop and read other bloggers’ responses.
Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography
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New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.
Independently published with the help of DLD Books.
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Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
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My Corner 
You’re right in that bitterness doesn’t do us any good. Now technology has advanced for the visually impaired, it’s nice to know that one day, if you really wanted to, you could buy yourself a polaroid camera.
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Absolutely but I’ve outgrown my interest in photography. If that changes, I’ll just use the camera on my iPhone and save myself some money.
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I wonder of your impairment would lead you to taking beautiful pictures that others of us might pass by.
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That’s an interesting question. If I had the time and inclination, I would try to find the answer.
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Bitterness is definitely a waste of time, and, in the long run, Polaroid cameras didn’t really last. May the holidays bring you joy! @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
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Well, I didn’t know that about Polaroid cameras as a kid. It’s probably just as well then. I hope you also have happy holidays.
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I can totally relate to this, I also couldn’t convince my parents to let me have a camera for the same reason. Looking back on it now, ahem, way way, way back, I think the frustrating thing was not being able to get a thing because of something I couldn’t control. I had no real interest in photography, so had they just given me a camera, I likely would have lost interest very quickly. But by not letting me have one, for reasons that seemed logical to me even at the time, well that just made me want one more.
I still have no great interest in photography, but I’ve played around quite a bit with the accessibility features of my iPhone camera and with Apple’s Photos app. It’s really interesting stuff. Kind of makes me wonder what blind/visually impaired kids now might look back on and regret … what might their version of our polaroid be?
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Interesting observations. Some kids’ interest in certain subjects doesn’t last long. Thank you for commenting.
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