“Here’s how you hold your punk,” dad said demonstrating by holding the end in his left hand and the lighter in his right while lighting its tip. when I was young. He taught us where to set firecrackers off, how to stand, where to run, and watched us to ensure our safety. I never enjoyed the loud booms much then, and even less when I decided to
forego his safety rules and throw a firecracker. That little thing went off in my hand, leaving it throbbing and aching for days.
From that point forward, I preferred the FREE night work shows put on by cities. The bright colors and exploding lights cascading into thin air provided contrast against the dark sky allowing my damaged eyes to see. Over time, my vision loss progressed from Retinitis Pigmentosa to the point the fireworks only looked white, but I enjoyed watching the sprays of bursting light, and the designs they formed. As the shapes of light became difficult to even spot, I decided to retreat to the great indoors and ignore the noisy war sounds.
Here are a few ways I have learned to cope in order to come out and celebrate in an uncomfortable world of yucky, overbearing noises coming from unexpected places. Sometimes I use all 7 techniques in one evening.
Other times, I go back and forth between techniques.
I FOCUS on these things:
1. The reactions and pleasures of my kids and grandkids…
2. When with people I know are gracious enough to tell the name of what they’re setting off so I know what to expect, decreasing my anxiety…
3. I concentrate on calming the dogs by stroking them and talking to them.
4. I try to think about what the noise reminds me of…like another machine or a car backfiring, etc.
5. Count how many pops one firework makes, or how many seconds it lasts.
6. Turn the noise into a song or fun beat (this one especially works distracting the dogs).
7. If all else fails, turn the TV or radio up REAL LOUD! LOL.
No matter what our fears or what in life makes us uncomfortable, there are always some things you can focus on to endure and overcome your fear. After all, your family and friends want you to be a part.
What ideas can you add to this list?
© 2015, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
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