Seven-year-old Sofia wore sunglasses everywhere: at dinner, during sleepovers, and even while brushing her teeth. My daughter Anna never questioned her friend’s unusual habit because Sofia trusted her to respect her privacy.
But one day, some boys at school grabbed Sofia’s glasses and laughed when they saw her eyes moving uncontrollably. Sofia was devastated, and Anna came home crying.
I later learned Sofia had nystagmus, a condition that causes involuntary eye movements and makes her sensitive to bright light. Anna had accidentally revealed her friend’s secret, and Sofia thought she could no longer trust her.
Anna wrote her a heartfelt apology. After a few difficult days, the girls reunited and listened to the recordings they’d made for Anna’s father, who was serving in the army.
Their friendship survived, and Sofia finally understood that Anna still respected her secret.