Stars in His Eyes

Just the other day Izzy got his first pair of glasses. I'd had mine for many years by the time I was his age, but Izzy waited until the ripe old age of eight. He'd been telling us for a while he needed them, but since he was reading fine, and smacking the baseball regularly, we didn't think it was too bad.

It was a bit ironic to have him come show me his new specs, as they are almost identical to mine. My friend Jim Bailey and I look enough alike that we get mistaken for each other weekly. Now I have a short doppelganger too; Izzy is mini-me.

Later that night Robin and the kids were out, and Izzy and I were alone on the deck. He yelled out "Hey dad!" I can see the stars! I can really see them!"

It took a minute for it to register, but Izzy had never been able to see the stars. Now that the night sky was so clear he had me draw a map of Orion so he could find it in the sky. Needless to say I was happy to do it, and totally blown away by the chance to be there when he discovered the heavens for the first time.

For all the time I spend shooting into the night, and so many times Izzy's been by my side, I really had no clue that he could not see what I was shooting until I showed him a picture.

Now I have this picture of my boy, so I never forget that night.