A friend of mine is rapidly losing his eyesight and each week the ability to perform simple tasks is diminished. As usual he is handling this challenge with tremendous courage and resolve.His situation is a direct reminder of so many things that I take for granted. Certainly my eyes are not as sharp as they were when I was much younger, but I still have full eyesight. The gait is slower than the days when I was a young athlete prancing around the basketball court or baseball field. So many of what I have always thought are the ever present abilities of life are really gifts that I should count as blessings. Today I am more aware that all of the special functions are not something that remain forever and can be lost in the blink of an eye.