By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Birthday fever doesn't fall far from the tree
02b708f63843a1f45a178826ad9a037472d06c8fad9a6a332f8d7fecf1cddb47
My love of birthdays has been passed on biologically to my children especially my daughter. But the great thing about kids' birthdays is having the same fun vicariously. Bring on the cake and ice cream! - photo by Amy Choate-Nielsen
I love birthdays.

Or, more specifically, I should say that I love my birthday. I love that there is one day of the year when I have an excuse to sleep in or go shopping or take a nice, long yoga class. I love that its something I can look forward to as the tail end of winter slowly evaporates into spring. I love that its special for me, even if its just another day to everyone else.

And so, I should not be surprised that my daughter has been counting down her birthday since Jan. 1, calculating how many months remain, counting down how many weeks she had to endure, adding up the days. Earlier this week, she said she was going to pretend it was already Thursday because the next day would be her birthday. Two days ago, she warned me she probably wouldnt sleep at night because she could hardly sleep on Christmas Eve, and this was even better, and she wanted me to wake her up at midnight so she could celebrate every minute. And last night, at about 6 p.m., she started asking if she could go to bed yet, because then shed hurry the process on to waking up at midnight and it being her birthday.

And now, here it is. She is 8 years old today.

All of those years I couldnt wait for my birthday to come, all of those years when I spent my birthdays asking my mom for presents or pressuring her to make my day special, I didnt think about her. That thought didnt occur to me until eight years ago yesterday, when I drove to the hospital at 9 p.m. and stopped three times in the parking lot to breathe through contractions before I could walk through those sliding doors into the unknown.

I had prepared so much. I took a class, I read books, I practiced breathing, I collected things that would calm me down and keep me focused, such as a newborns hat, some cinnamon-scented room spray and Reeses peanut butter cups. Id been told that distraction sometimes works when youre in the middle of a gripping contraction, the idea being that its best to just relax and ride through it.

Its a little like jumping into a river rapid gasping for air as the waves wash over your head, feeling the power of the current, relying on that part of your brain that speaks logic in times of trauma, pointing your nose and toes downstream and trying to let go.

I had a few of those rapids, each one taking me further and further from the doctor and nurses in my room, further from my husband, until I was completely removed, mentally. It was just her and I, racing the river.

I felt an equal power from her, cheering me on, and an unknown empathy from me, understanding just exactly how difficult it would be for her to enter this world. And then, we made eye contact.

I jokingly told her one of these last few days as she begged for carbonara for her birthday dinner, eclairs for her birthday dessert, and waffles, eggs, sausage and juice for her birthday breakfast that I was the one who did all of the work eight years ago, not her, but I know thats not true.

I spent the days after her birth in bewilderment. For all of my reading and planning and research, I couldnt figure out how to get dressed for days. I wasnt entirely clear on how I should burp or feed her. I had no idea how far babies could vomit when they have reflux issues and full bellies.

It was then, right then, that I realized that I owe my daughter a lot. I owe her a hundred wonderful birthdays, as long as Im around to celebrate. As my first-born, she taught me everything. She receives all of my mistakes and failures as a parent and marches on. She leads her siblings; she forges the path for all of us. She brought tears to my eyes and warmth to the deepest part of my body that never knew a love more powerful. She showers the world with her insatiable curiosity and care. As a tiny 8-year-old with arms I can fit between my fingers and legs that look like sticks, she is convinced she can shoulder the worlds ills and make them better.

So this sunny day in July will never be just another day for me. And it will always be special for her.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
93cbd7a5475cccd1cee701424125d3abaa9b4beaa58d3663208f656cbbbd7661
A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.