All of y’all, who have them, blink those baby blue eyes. Ah, yes, I have blue eyes. Both sons and grandkids share the same portals of blueness as well, but it wasn’t until this week that I learned “the rest of the story.” Read on …

    Researchers in Denmark, University of Copenhagen, tracked down the genetic mutation that leads to blue eyes. The mutation occurred between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago. Before then, there were no blue eyes. The research confirmed that people with blue eyes have a single, common ancestor.

    What does this mean? As hard as it is to calculate all of this information in our minds, the fact is we are living in the world of DNA where the unimaginable may happen and can be proven. Here are the facts:  The research team tested 155 blue-eyed people from Scandinavia, Turkey, Jordan and India searching to see whether they had similar DNA sequences. Only three people in the study had slightly different sequences – all of the others were identical. There have been several studies – one included 1406 people and another 384 people. All of the studies indicated the same DNA difference in the HERC2 gene was found in everyone with blue eyes. Many, many unrelated individuals with blue eyes had the same HERC2 DNA difference therefore the study concluded the mutation came from one common ancestor.

    Scary, I know.  I mean who was this dude or dudette? He or she lived at least 6,000 years ago. Don’t you know they were the talk of the cave?  To look so different, it’s a thousand wonders that the poor thing could even attract a mate. The researchers estimate the blue-eye mutation probably happened in the Black Sea region located in Northern Europe. The area is easily linked to Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea. All places that I would like to visit someday. Sigh.

    Whomever, the blue-eyed mutation holder started some big stuff. I mean Blue Eyes – what a phenomenon to shake-up the brown eyed world. Talk about thinking outside the proverbial brown box! It is estimated that there are 300 million blue-eyed people today. Let’s see – that’s me, the sons, the grand’s, my Paw Paw Harrison from Newton County, and my solid white kitty, Gracie. Oops, maybe cats are not included in this mutation. I’ll have to check-it-out and get back to you on the feline baby blues.

    You know I just thought of a question someone asked me one time – they asked if I was Scandinavian because of my skin and eyes.  I suppose now I can say – Yes, sort of.  However, at that time, before this momentous news, I only claimed to be English/Irish/Scottish. NOW I know I have had a relative who lived, although possibly as an outcast, near the Black Sea Region in Northern Europe. Or perhaps that relative was the King/Queen of the Cave because of their beautiful blue peepers. I prefer that story and I’m gonna stick to it.

    There are many famous/infamous blue-eyed personages in the world today: Taylor Swift, Leonardo Dicaprio, Sarah Palin, and many others. I should mention famous blue eyes from recent history: Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, and Betty Davis. A few blues eyes from ancient history:  Alexander the Great, Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, and King David.

    The twinkling blue beauties have inspired countless musical renditions: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain by Willie Nelson, Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue by Crystal Gale, Blue Eyes Blue by Eric Clapton, Grey Blues Eyes by Dave Matthews, and His Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles by Joan Osborne. Don’t forget blue-eyes featured in literature and poetry: A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, and My Father’s Eyes Were Blue by Poet, Anthony Owen.

    During the 1960s/70s, Blue-Eyed Soul music became popular. The term was concocted when white musicians remade African American music for mass audiences.  Some of the artists at that time were The Righteous Brothers, Tom Jones, Hall & Oates, and more recently, Amy Winehouse and British singer-songwriter, Adele. Adele’s smash hit, Rolling in the Deep, swept the recent Grammy Awards garnering all six categories. Peoples Magazine named her as one of 2012 Most Beautiful at Every Age. Oh, and she DOES have blue eyes.

    Today only 17% of Americans have natural true blue eyes. Of course, there are laser-powered procedures and blue contact lenses available, but those true blue peepers are on decline. So today I declare – if you’ve got ‘em, blink ‘em, flaunt ‘em, and most of all, peer into this blue Earth as only blue eyes can.

    One more thing … I would like to thank that blue-eyed-mutation who lived near the Black Sea Region over 6,000 years ago. He or she made all of this blueness possible. Oh, those baby blues.  

    Anne B. McKee is an author and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Visit her web site at www.annemckee.net.