Delight Can Be Contagious Too

Question:

What has been bringing you joy lately?

• We moved to our new building a few months before Covid hit and it feels like we’re now finding some normalcy. — Betsy Brockett, Zionsville Eyecare, Zionsville, IN
• My back yard. — David Schultz, OD, Urban Optics, San Luis Obispo, CA
• The fact that I have an actual vacation coming up. Not going to really do anything, but usually my “vacations” are when my kids or I are sick, but this one is REAL! — Frances Ann Layton, Eye Associates of South Georgia, Valdosta, GA
• Dogs and happy, enthusiastic customers. — Sue Hayward, The Optic Shop, Tampa, FL
• My friends. Now that so many of us are vaccinated, I’ve been able to see people I’ve missed this last year. There’s nothing like being in a room with those you love, and who take you as you are; the friends who make you laugh until your sides hurt. The friends you hold when they are in distress because they trust you enough to let go. The friends that show up when life is hard and sit there and listen. My friends are bringing me all the joy right now. — Becky Furuta, Avenue Vision, Golden, CO
• Golf. — Rick Rickgauer, Vision Associates, Girard, PA
• 5:00pm and a glass of wine. — Carol Marx, Finger Lakes Ophthalmology, Canandaigua, NY
• My dog. — Sonja Franklin, OD, Modern Eyes, Austin, TX
• Vaccinations. — Harvey Berkowitz, Allied Vision Group, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Great feedback from our Myopia Management patients. — Rita Ellent, OD, The Gardens Eye Care, Forest Hills, NY
• Hiking early in the morning with my dogs. Fresh air and sunshine to start the day off right. — Jennifer Leuzzi, Mill Creek Optical, Dansville, NY
• Hanging out with my friends, going on hikes when the weather permits, and reading non-fiction. — Emily Kincaid-Smith, Sports Optical, Denver, CO
• Caring for people in general. — Edna Cooley, Shelby Macomb Vision Associates, Shelby Township, MI
• Repeat customers; working with a new doctor who prescribes from the chair; trunk shows. — BJ Chambers, Carrera Optical, McQueeney, TX
• My amazing staff just being a joy to be around! — Nytarsha Thomas, OD, Visionelle Eyecare, Zionsville, IN
• Realizing how blessed I am to have a job I LOVE to come to everyday! — Megan Lott, OD, Lexington Eye Care, Lexington, MS
• I have started a new adventure and started my own optical office. For so long I have provided my complete dedication and craft under others influence, but now I will strive to develop my skills and knowledge while only reporting to one person…my wife. — William Chancellor, Best Chance Optical, Forsyth, GA
• Increase in sales and adding new and bold eyewear collections. — Verbelee Nielsen-Swanson, Oxford Eyes, Orlando, FL
• Watching Baylor crush Gonzaga in NCAA basketball championship and watching Tom Brady win another Super Bowl. — Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Associates, Citrus Heights, CA
• Grandbabies. — Billy Isgett, Eyecare of Florence, Florence, SC
• The sun and more people through the door. — Steve Nelson, Eye Candy Optical, Westlake, OH
• Needle felting. You get to stab the hell out of the pile of wool and it comes out as something cute. A must try for anyone in customer service. Keep your fingers out of the way. — Nikki Griffin, EyeStyles Optical and Boutique, Oakdale, MN
• Warm weather, hiking, and barre class. — Kathryn Collins, OD, Kissel Eye Care, Lititz, PA
• Selling so many colorful frames! — Kris Kittell, Encinitas Vision, Encinitas, CA
• Seeing people shopping without fear because they have been vaccinated! — Brandy Walker, LeStanne Professional Opticians, Atlanta, GA
• Warm weather! — Caitlin Wicka, San Juan Eye Center, Montrose, CO
• Looking forward to retiring in a few years. — Mark Perry, OD, Vision Health Institute, Orlando, FL
• My kids and grandkids. — Jeff Grosekemper, Casa De Oro Eyecare, Spring Valley, CA
• Religion and my family. — Zachary Dirks, OD, St. Peter and Belle Plaine Eyecare Centers, Saint Peter, MN
• Seeing people more relaxed and less anxious about COVID. — Laura Miller, OD, Northwest Hills Eye Care, Austin, TX
• Coffee, whiskey and bourbon … in no particular order. — Pablo E Mercado, Highland Eye Boutique, Atlanta, GA
• I guess I would have to say I was very excited to be able to get the vaccine. I felt like I won the lottery of life. — Julie Uram, Optical Oasis, Jupiter, FL
• The local restaurant’s avocado toast. — Angel Miller, Cynthiana Vision Center, Cynthiana, KY