The holiday season has a way of magnifying things, joy feels, well, more joyous, and sorrow (you know what’s coming), more sorrowful. Wrapping gifts one afternoon, I was faced with both sides of the ornament.
First, while finishing up two gifts for a girlfriend, I could not find the Scotch tape. I had just had it less than a minute before. My “Wrapping Central” is very organized, not only because I like order but also due to the fact that I am visually impaired. If everything is in its place, my life is much easier. I had not heard it hit the floor, it was not with the tags, pen and scissors on the desk. The only items on the card table I had set up in our office were the gift I had just wrapped, along with the one I was working on.
Not knowing what to do – WHERE IS IT??? – I decided to take a break. Picking up the gift that was done, instead of feeling a box, my fingers made contact with plastic.
I had set the tape atop the finished gift but had been unable to see it.
Although relieved to have found what was lost, I was very annoyed. It may seem like a small thing to get upset about, but when it happens often because of an impairment, it can be difficult to ignore.
Several presents later, I reached for a money holder card. I have been seeing all sorts of creative ideas for wrapping gifts on Instagram, as well as fun ways to fold money. Having just a single bill, I Googled to research what I could make with one piece of paper money. Watching a video that looked doable, I made my first attempt at origami. Pausing the instructions between each step, my sense of touch leading the way, I fashioned a Christmas tree. I was very happy with how it came out. It might seem like a small thing, but when it happens despite an impairment, it can be difficult to ignore.
I couldn’t find the tape but I made paper money into a shape.
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