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Eyes. They are brown, blue, green, or hazel. They are slanted, round, wide, or narrow. They are what they are. They remain mostly unchanged from infancy through adulthood. So why is it that those same eyes that look innocent, sweet, eager and full of life as a young child, somehow turn us into a completely different looking being altogether as we age?
A picture of 5 year old eyes is cheesy, as they openly laugh back. A shot at 15, they are big and bold, wide open. 20, look out world, they know everything, confidence oozing. A more settled set of eyes show changing disposition at 25. 30, a slightly more somber look staring a little further past the lens as reality moves in and sleep is scarcer. The peepers grin a little bit more at 40 as they realize they shouldn’t take life so seriously. Calmly they look back at the photographer at 50, basically ready to spend some time apart from the camera now.
Suddenly they pass by a mirror and wonder who they are looking at. The imposters seem darker, hollowed, and sadder somehow. The personality behind them still lives. The seventeen year old still wants to come out to play. So where is the mischief? Why do they stare so far out?
The years that follow show some happiness, some sadness, some weakness. Then somewhere around eighty, the teenager seems to show up again. They seem younger despite the wrinkles, full of sparkle, a little weary perhaps, but the mischief is back.
What are your secrets dear eyes? Did you figure out the meaning of life? I look forward to seeing your beautiful, fun, familiar stare again that I once knew. You are welcome to visit me sooner than later.
cmtreadway 