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To my husband on Valentine's Day
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Like most things in my life, Valentines Day has become all about the kids. But while Im running around in this jam-packed, child-raising time of our lives, I just want you to know: I see you. - photo by Erin Stewart
Erin Stewart
Deseret News
Published: Feb 11, 2016, 1:59 PM
To my husband on Valentines Day:

Like most things in my life, Valentines Day has become all about the kids. Youve probably noticed all the shards of pink paper on the floor the last few days as we cut out hearts to prepare for class parties. What can I say? We have two girls who love pink, hearts and everything Valentines Day-related, so its no wonder this once romantic, couples-only holiday has become yet another kid-centered hoopla in our house.

So I wanted to take a moment and tell you that even though I am caught up in the whirlwind of raising our two daughters (and throwing Valentines Day tea parties), you are still my Valentine.

I know you get lost in the shuffle sometimes between trying to do well at your job, being a great dad and finding time to be an amazing husband. Life seems to always be about our children, never about us. Never about you.

But while Im running around in this jam-packed, child-raising time of our lives, I just want you to know: I see you.

I see you getting up early to go to work and always getting dressed in the dark so you dont wake me. I see you cleaning up at the end of the day when Im too tired. I notice you reading and wrestling with the kids after dinner. I watch as you teach our daughters every day how they should be treated.

I see how you leave your job stress at our doorstep so youre all smiles and hugs and rolling on the floor. I see you pretending to have energy you dont and patience you shouldnt.

I realize that you dont say anything when the house is a mess or I am a mess or theres nothing for dinner yet. You roll up your sleeves and help because thats just what you do.

So even though Im distracted doing my mommy thing, I see you.

And I know I dont say it nearly enough, but I couldnt do any of it without you.

When you walk through the door, I breathe a sigh of relief, and not just because you help shoulder the daily burdens. I sigh because your presence at the end of the day allows me to breathe. I can relax. You are here. Everything will be OK.

So while Im cutting out Valentines Day cards and baking a thousand sugar cookies for the tea party this week, know that you are the one who holds my heart. We might not be as romantic as we were in our pre-baby days, but its still you and me (even if a hot date now means binge-watching Netflix and busting out the good snacks).

Someday, when these child-rearing years are behind us, it will be us again. Just you and me, the way it was before (plus a few more wrinkles, pounds and stories).

The chaos of now will be quiet, but you will still be my breath. Constant, steady and seemingly unnoticed but impossible to live without.
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.