The other day my daughter Blythe asked me which Christmas I consider to be my favorite. I had to think a minute, because as a family, the Sullivan’s have had some great ones. I was about to say the first time you and your brother Tom were old enough to really get into Santa, being absolutely sure that the fat man brought your presents right down the chimney. I was about to say that, and then I remembered.
The greatest Christmas I ever enjoyed was a ski trip in Winter Park, 
Colorado, when our children were teenagers and our friend, the marvelous Betty White, joined us for a Christmas Eve sleigh ride none of us will ever forget. The night was perfect. It had snowed earlier that day, and the air had a feeling of Christmas that you could almost taste. Oh, sure, it was cold, but we were bundled up under tons of blankets as two beautiful Clydesdale horses with bells jingling took us through the woods to a magical barn where dinner would be served and carols sung.
It was on the way home that my Christmas was made complete. We had stopped to let the horses breathe, and everyone was quiet, just allowing the feeling of togetherness envelope us in that special night. It was Betty who broke the silence.
“Tom,” she said almost to herself, “I wish I may, I wish I might, let you see the stars tonight. I feel like we could almost reach up and touch them. That’s how bright and close they are. I guess when you’re this high in the Rocky Mountains, it just feels like they’re right here.”
I could hear how much my friend wanted me to see such a heavenly display, but we both knew that could never happen. I have no complaint about being blind, no one could have a better life, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit at this holiday season that I’d love to be able to take it all in, all the special sights of Christmas.
Every day in laboratories around this country, researchers are working to solve the multiple eye diseases that make it impossible for millions of people to see the joys of Christmas. At this holiday season, my best gift would be that all of us donate to the Discovery Eye Foundation with its goal to preserve vision and eradicate blindness around the world. During this season of giving, may your hearts be light and your sight be bright.
Merry Christmas!
Tom Sullivan
DEF’s Ambassador of Vision
sullivanvision.com