Arnold Family Eye Care

12/30/2025

12/29/2025

They say the flu virus is really bad this year. We just installed a Surgically Clean Air filtration system in the office to be sure to protect our staff and patients to the best of our ability. It will capture 99.9% of allergens, odors, dust and pathogens. The good news is, it indicates that our office air is optimal already (blue ring). The better news is, we plan to keep it that way! Stay healthy everyone!

12/25/2025

🎄From the Arnold Family Eye Care team, Merry Christmas! 🎄

12/24/2025

Enjoy the holidays with your family and friends. We will be doing the same. Thank you for your understanding. 🎄

12/20/2025

Heroes are all around. We all need a Mrs. Chen once in a while ❤️

"My daughter came home from school one day and said, “Mom, the lunch lady is so weird. She memorizes everyone’s name by the third day — like, all 600 kids!”

I laughed. Teenagers exaggerate, right?

Then I went to parent-teacher night. I hadn’t eaten, so I stopped by the cafeteria. An older woman with a gray hairnet was cleaning tables when she looked up and said, “You’re Zoe’s mom.”

I froze. “How did you know?”

Without pausing, she replied, “Same eyes. She always sits at table seven. Picks the bruised apples no one wants. Drinks chocolate milk even though she’s lactose intolerant. Hurts herself rather than waste food.”

I just stood there.

Then she started talking — not to me, just... speaking aloud.

“Marcus, table three — his dad left last year. Always takes double servings on Fridays because there’s less food at home. Jennifer counts calories out loud to punish herself. Brett throws away his lunch because kids make fun of the food his mom makes. He’s starving by sixth period. Ashley’s parents are divorcing. She eats in the bathroom to cope.”

I asked, “Why are you telling me this?”

She looked at me and said, “Because you're all here talking about grades. Nobody’s talking about this — about who's eating, who's not, who's hurting.”

I whispered, “What do you do?”

She replied, “I do what I can. I make sure Marcus gets extra servings. I tell Jennifer her calorie counts are wrong so she’ll eat more. I repackage Brett’s food and label it ‘cafeteria leftovers’ so he won’t be teased. I buy Zoe lactose-free chocolate milk with my own money and say we’re testing a new brand.”

I was speechless.

She'd been quietly saving kids for years. Twenty-two, to be exact. Making $14 an hour. No official title. No spotlight. Just quietly saving lives during lunch.

Then she had a stroke. Retired. The school hired someone new — fast, efficient... but didn’t learn names.

Within months, the guidance office was overwhelmed. Kids breaking down. Until one finally said: “Mrs. Chen knew when we were drowning. She threw life preservers disguised as extra tater tots. Now nobody’s watching.”

The school brought her back — part-time. Her new title? “Student Wellness Observer.”

She’s 68 now. Walks with a cane. Can’t carry trays anymore.

But she still memorizes every name by the third day.
Still watches.
Still saves kids — one lunch period at a time. 🥺🍽️

At graduation, my daughter thanked her:

“Some people teach math. Some teach history. Mrs. Chen taught us that being seen is sometimes the only thing standing between surviving and giving up.”

The cafeteria stood up for her.

So yes, maybe the “weird lunch lady” really is the most important person in the building. 💙

Let this story reach more hearts."

Credit: Grace Jenkins — story shared, not owned.

12/17/2025

Today our AFE staff enjoyed our annual Christmas party and day of fun together. After our secret Santa gift exchange this morning, we made chunky blankets, taught by 's Design Farm, and then had lunch at on Main in Columbia, IL. Happy Holidays from all of us. And, thanks for understanding about being closed today!

12/02/2025

🤣

11/27/2025

For those who celebrate Thanksgiving, it is a time each year when we reflect on and express our appreciation for the many blessings in our lives. While 2025 has presented some pretty hefty challenges for me and for my family, I know that our issues pale in comparison to many. Take, for example, just a few of the patients that I've seen this past week. There was a gentleman fighting stage 4 kidney cancer, a woman who had just lost her job after 17 years, another woman who was dealing with her second diagnosis of lung cancer (all while still doing volunteer work), another lady upset about her sister being moved into a skilled nursing center with dementia, etc. So many folks are dealing with seriously difficult situations that most will never know about. So please, the next time you encounter someone who is grouchy or who says or does something that you don't like, please try to be compassionate. Approach them with kindness and a willingness to understand their intentions or needs and then help if you are able. Getting angry and/or hurting someone's feelings is not productive.
For me, I am incredibly thankful to have a job that I love, great coworkers, and so many wonderful patients who choose to trust Arnold Family Eye Care with their eye health and vision care. I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! Dr. B

11/11/2025

Today, thank a veteran for your freedom and fortunate way of life. Going forward, use your vote to protect it!

Arnold Family Eye Care sends our sincere thanks to all veterans for your dedication and service to our republic.

(Pictured are Thomas Mills and Ronald Birsinger, Dr. B's dad and father-in-law)

10/24/2025

Arnold Family Eye Care would like to add a new member to our team. We cross-train our staff to work in all departments, but plan to start with front desk. If you (or someone you know) is motivated, reliable (like every day reliable!) and looking for a long-term career, send them our way!

Benefits: Employee discounts Paid time off Training & development Arnold Family Eye Care would like to add a member to our team. New employee will be cross-trained in different areas of our office, but will start at the front desk in order to learn our computer system and office policies/procedures....

10/22/2025

Our phone service carrier is experiencing a wide spread outage right now. If you are calling and get a busy signal, the problem has not been resolved. Please TEXT us at the same number 636-200-5008 if you need to reach us.

We apologize for any inconvenience. Service should be restored soon.

10/22/2025

Found this pretty, handmade gift on my desk this morning from a sweet patient! Thank you, Mrs. W! I appreciate you, too! 🩷