The following article was published in the Post Bulletin on the Editorial/Opinion page on May 6, 2015:
What is the Story Behind Those Eyes?
I don’t know about you but I am fascinated with people’s eyes and the emotions they convey. I am drawn to the excited eyes of a five year old gazing at a fireworks display on Independence Day, the anxious eyes of a parent following their little one with outstretched arms when their child takes those first shaky steps and the sorrowful eyes of my mother the day my brother died.
I feel certain that when I look through another’s eyes I can be transported into their hearts and begin to see the world through their eyes…feel their joys and sorrows. When that happens I always seem to make wiser choices; I act with compassion. I would venture that, if we all looked through each other’s eyes, we might break down the walls of indifference. We could change the world one compassionate act at a time.
The theme of Catholic Charities’ Annual Appeal this Mother’s Day weekend, May 9th and 10th is “Replacing Heartache with Hope…by Looking through Each Other’s Eyes.”
For over 65 years Catholic Charities has empathetically looked through the eyes of those we serve. Our clients range from vulnerable adults who can no longer care for themselves, families in crisis, and refugee children who arrive to this country carrying their life’s possessions in a duck taped bag. We care for the poor and marginalized who are too often neglected and excluded in today’s society – made to feel like “leftovers.”
I was particularly drawn to the eyes of a little girl who I cared for a few years ago. Her piercing eyes will remain with me forever. She was my inspiration when choosing an image for two billboards donated by a couple of incredible supporters of our efforts
The little girl on the billboard reminds me of the day I met Aisha. She arrived from a refugee camp in Egypt. Upon arrival, her eyes looked aged, as if this little four year old had experienced the challenges and heartache of one much older. I was surprised when I saw her eyes a few days later in my office. Her fearful eyes now sparkled. This little beauty ran into my office and jumped on my lap; she nestled her head on my shoulder and grabbed my hand, beginning to rub it tenderly. She gazed intently into my eyes with the love of a child who was my own, and kept repeating my name over and over – Mary. Her parents had shared my name from official paperwork that stated I was the director that helped facilitate her arrival and resettlement.
Aisha kept swinging her little legs back and forth as she held on tightly to my hand. With the assistance of my interpreter, I expressed to her how happy I was to finally meet her. I assured her that we would love and care for her and her parents.
I noticed her whimsical sandals with glass heels that incased a little, floating, plastic, pink fish. I mentioned how lovely she looked in those shoes. She immediately took them off and insisted to gift them to me. I told her that it brought me joy to see the sandals on her feet. Little tears began to form in her eyes. She was adamant about wanting her only cherished possession to be given to me. Her parents asked me to abide by her wishes. Of course, an identical pair magically appeared at the foot of her bed days later and she was thrilled.
There is a story behind the eyes of every person served by our eleven programs. The stories are as diverse as the programs we offer and the people we serve.
It is surprising how much I took away from that first glance of Aisha’s eyes. Those eyes still inspire me to emulate her empathy and compassion.
At first glance Catholic Charities may take you by surprise too. Catholic Charities is the social service arm of the Catholic diocese for the twenty southernmost counties of Minnesota. The eleven programs of Catholic Charities replace heartache with hope for thousands of people living on the margins each year regardless of race, age, gender, faith tradition, or ability to pay.
In 2014 staff looked into the eyes of over 4,500 people. Sixty-one percent of those people lived in households with annual incomes at or below $25,000.
This Mother’s Day I am remembering the love in Aisha’s eyes, the love in my mother’s eyes, the love in the eyes of those I serve at Catholic Charities and the love in the eyes of those who support our efforts and transform lives through our work. (Please consider a tribute to your mother today and visit www.ccwinona.org and help Replace Heartache with Hope. Every donation is a life-changing gift.)
Mary Alessio-Director of Advancement/Catholic Charities
(Mary was a past Refugee Resettlement Director)