light of one's eye

plural lights of one's eye

1. figurativelySomeone beloved to the speaker, such as their life partner or offspring.

   The Princes are my sons and the light of my eye.

   2012, Caroline Finkel, Osman's Dream: The Story of the Ottoman Empire 1300-1923

   2 more examples

   Mohammad Reza was his father's love — the light of his eye, as the Persian saying goes.

   2009, Gholam Reza Afkhami, The Life and Times of the Shah, page 24

   Simeti, the bright light of his eye, had perished in the fire and smoke and thunder. And bitterest of all was that he, Songiterr, had sent him to his dreadful, fiery doom.

   2010, David Luders, Cataclysm, page 91

2. figurativelyThe way in which one's eyes sparkle with joy and life.

   The regularity of his features, and the light of his eye, presented a countenance worthy of the chisel of Praxitiles.

   1834, William Leete Stone, Tales and Sketches: Such as They are, page 68

   2 more examples

   We look'd for the youth of the sunny glance, Whose step was the fleetest in the chase or dance! The light of his eye was a joy to see,

   1828, Mrs. Hemans, The Poetical Works of Mrs. Felicia Hemans - Volume 2, page 44

   Tecumseh listened with a gloomy kind of submission; the playful animation of childhood no longer gladdened his countenance; the joyous light of his eye was quenched, and a settled shade rested on those features, that were wont to beam with pleasure.

   2000, Tecumseh and Other Stories of the Ohio River Valley author=Julia Louisa Dumont; Sandra A. Parker, page 37