If I were to be backed into a corner and informed of this choice, then for me it would be a fairly straightforward thing.

I am sixty two years old and am blind in one eye, so losing the only good eye that remains is a no-no. It isn't the best eye in the world for sure, but it's the only headlight I have so no, I need it.

I need my hearing because without it I cannot work, and if I cannot work then how am I to feed my habit of a new iPhone each time they're updated? Nope, I cannot do without my iPhone, and so I need to work, so my hearing stays.

My sense of touch perhaps? Nope. Sorry, but without my sense of touch then how can I use my Prose app without making a total dogs hind leg of every piece I concoct. Sorry, my sense of touch stays.

And while we are on the subject of senses, I need my sense of taste also. Without my sense of taste how am I to enjoy my vaping? Nope it stays. I guess you kind of know where this is headed...

So then that just leaves my sense of smell doesn't it. Well, you can have it. Every time the dog farts its a nightmare here - take it, and take the damn dog also. Fucking thing sucks. (Joking).

Not being able to look a loved in the eye, to see the universes they hold in them, not being able to observe their movements as if they were your own.

Not being able to feel a comforting touch, one that saves you from spiraling into despair, not being able to feel a warm shower as the water dances across your skin or the cool of the rain against your palms.

Not being able to taste the sweetness of their kiss, to savor a moment you can't get back, not being able to taste your favorite foods and the way it lingers on your tongue.

Not being able to smell the familiar scent of your significant other, not being able to identify his/her article of clothing from a strangers, not being able to breathe in the scent of the ocean or a new book.

Such a hard decision.

Which would you choose?

A friend of mine lost her senses of smell and taste in a skiing accident. You should see the look on her face when she eats – willing the aromas and flavors to penetrate her nose and tongue. I’m not cut out for that brand of desperation.

When it comes to hearing, I suffer from a disorder called dysphonia. Certain sounds - like the squeal of a knife blade passing over a porcelain plate, or a person chewing with his mouth open – make me twitch and wish I could disappear through the floor. And yet, when I hear the birds sing, it is balm for my soul. And music! I could never live without music. So, I’ll endure the leaf blowers, the car alarms, and clearing of throats for now.

The gift of sight is TRULY a gift for me. I appreciate beauty where other might not and drink in every sight I see. Daily walks with the dog are like strolls through the corridors of the Uffizi…the colors, the textures, the light and shadows…it’s all so wonderful! The thought of losing my vision is too terrible to imagine.

Ah, but touch? It wouldn’t just be the loss of pain, but also the preservation of my sanity. I go crazy when I feel a hair on me that I can’t get locate and remove. Tags on the collars of my shirts feel like razor blades and make me want to rip off all my clothes (and not in a good way). Would I miss the tenderness of a child’s warm tiny touch, or the caress of a lover? Certainly. But I’d make do, thank you very much.

Hear me, hey! Can you hear me?

Can I sacrifice one of my senses,

And give it to my brother?

I just want him to hear me say,

"I love you my little brother,

It feels wonderful, right?"

I will never hear music again,

I hope he will enjoy it.

I will never hear my voice again,

I'll be glad if he can listen to it.

Wait! Can I at least listen to

The Beatles before you remove it?

Please.

Pretty please.

I have great use for all my senses. But, if I had no choice but to give up one, I'd hesitantly part with the sense of smell.

My life mainly functions on sight. I need it to drive, to work, to cook. I need it to spend time with my family and friends. There's a reason people say, "it was good to see you." Life can be extremely beautiful and I want to witness and capture the moments of its beauty.

Hearing is also crucial. Words have power and can affect a person on many emotional levels. Just one word from the right person can send someone in ecstasy. Some music can do that as well, and it'd be a shame not to be able to hear it. Plus, thinking about it, if I ever have children, being able to hear would be necessary. If I am doing something about the house, one of the few ways to know that my child needs something would be through their cries. I would also want to communicate with the child, and wouldn't want to miss out on hearing the precious babbles and first words.

Touch matters. If someone is having a tough time, sometimes, all that is needed is a hug. Or even a pat on the shoulder. Maybe all that person needs is someone who'll sit beside them. Simply the slight exchange of nearby body heat can assure a person that someone is there. That they are not alone. As someone who expresses their affection through giant hugs, I doubt I can let that sense go. The world also has too many interesting textures to give up. The smoothness of silk against the body, the roughness of sandpaper. Even the disgusting feeling of something slimy.

As for taste, well, I live on taste. Gluttony is one of the vices I often embrace. Whenever I cook for others, it's important that the food tastes right and I don't give them food poisoning. Also, during social gatherings, enjoying the company and the food is important.

Smell. I'll miss the sense of smell. I'll miss smelling the sweetness of flowers, the freshness right after the rain, the smell of a loved one's cologne, the scent of something freshly baked. But, it's still be the sense I'll give up.

________________

If I made a test for which sense to give up, despite being a glutton, I would've failed because I would've had to give up taste. But, being the way that I am, this option is impossible.

Imagine a puppy. What do you do?

-You see the puppy.

-You hear the puppy.

-You touch the puppy.

-You smell the puppy.

:: You DO NOT eat the puppy::

For there are so many beautiful sceneries , and sights in the world that I couldn't bare to lose my sight. Ocean scenes, sunsets and foggy mountains take my breath away , and I'm beginning to think I need them.

I couldn't sacrifice touch, because to touch a loved one, in romantic times , to hold them , and just touch them to know they are there , is a precious thing.

What would I do without my hearing? Violins , guitars , and pianos are all so beautiful . But when I give birth to my first , and each child I can not miss the sound of their first cry, laugh, and word .

And oh how I love to taste sweet Apple pie , with vanilla ice cream on top . Grandmas sweet tea, and chicken and dumplings are mouth watering and I would long for the taste if I couldn't .

If I had to sacrifice one of my senses it would be smell , because I can go without it. After all skunk is not appealing . Yes, there are pleasant smells , but to me that's least important .