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How being a mother changed what I want for Christmas
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My Christmas list this year is full of things you cannot buy. - photo by Megan Shauri
Megan Shauri
FamilyShare
Published: Dec 27, 2015, 3:39 AM
Growing up, and even into my adult years, my Christmas list usually consisted of tangible gifts for me: clothes, electronics, movies, and more. But now that I am a mother, things have changed. What I want most now, are things you cannot buy.

Here is my Christmas list this year:

A night off

Motherhood is a 24/7 job, and as much as I love it, it would be nice to have a night off. I dont want to cook, do the dishes (or have them left waiting for me when my night off is over), or change diapers. I dont even need to leave the house, just lock me away in my bedroom with some chocolate and a bubble bath.

More patience

I can always use just a little more patience, especially with my kids. I try to keep my cool, but there always seems to be a breaking point when I lose it. More patience is something most every mom wants, so it is at the top of my list this year.

Health

I think being healthy is something we all want. It seems it just takes one kid getting sick, to make everyone in the house sick as well. If I could have one wish, it would be that we all avoid the flu, colds, and any other ailments that may come our way this year.

Peace at home

I really wish there was peace on earth, but I would like it to start in my home. My kids love each other, but there always seems to be something to fight about. I wish the arguing, whining (especially the whining), and tatter-telling would cease, and we could just love each other just a little bit more.

A cleaning service

Ok, so this is something you can buy, but not something I would ever buy for myself. I dont mind cleaning the house, but once in a while it would be nice to have someone else give it a really good deep clean, while I tackle the other 57 items on my to-do list.

Happiness

Above all, I want my family to be happy. I never realized how much someone elses happiness mattered to me until I got married, and even more so when I had kids.

My happiness depends on them. If they are happy, so am I. I try hard to make them happy, even though it does not take much, but I am always worried I am letting them down. I worry I am not a good enough mom for them, or wife for my husband. I am constantly thinking of all the things I am not doing for them, and forgetting to remember the things I do, do. For Christmas this year I want to know that my family is happy, and that I am doing my part to make them happy.

This is my Christmas list this year, and I will probably have this same list for the next several years to come. I dont need expensive gifts, or the perfect Christmas, I just want love and happiness, and perhaps, a maid!
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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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
Herb Scribner
Deseret News
Published: Aug 13, 2018, 1:39 PM
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.