Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don't open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
~ Rumi, The Essential Rumi, Coleman Barks with John Moyne | | In September, this column described the work of KAREN MORRISSEY, founder of Shoes for the Soul, a non-profit organization, which collects and distributes shoes to indigent children in Broward County, Florida. Morrissey, now a school social work specialist, is a former business executive who left her life in corporate America when the emotional and physical stress began to take a huge toll on her life. Looking for a way to have a more fulfilling career, Morrissey was inspired by the idea of providing shoes for school children whose families are at or below the poverty line. She recently emailed me saying she has received dozens of responses from readers of the article. I wanted to share two of the thank-you notes she received from social workers, who helped distribute the shoes in their schools. During this busy gift-giving season, it's uplifting to remember how we can make a difference in the lives of others when we come from our heart. | Dear Karen, I wanted to follow up regarding little Ambrosia's shoes. I gave them to her on Wednesday. She was so incredibly excited. She had not a moment's hesitation when I told her she had to draw a thank you picture and trade her old shoes for the new ones. She was so proud of herself in her new COMFORTABLE shoes. One of her teachers gave her a crown to wear for the day because she kept saying she felt like a princess. When I went back on Thursday to pick up her thank-you picture she told me to make sure I said hello to the 'Shoe Fairy' for her. She looked better than I've seen her look in quite a while. Her hair was fresh and clean and brushed. Her little face was clean and she was still smiling! Those shoes were just what this six-year-old needed to boost her self esteem and give her pride in herself to stand tall. Thank you so much for all you do to help us better serve our clients!! I just wish people could realize how important clean shoes (that fit!!!) are in the life of a child. If only we could bottle the smell of Ambrosia's old shoes to share with others. I can't imagine trying to make it through the day with my feet hurting and others avoiding me because of the odor coming from my shoes. I also wish it were possible to share the shining, smiling face of a child in whose life something as simple as a pair of new shoes could make such a profound impact. ... J S, School Social Worker
Dear Karen, On behalf of the Pine Ridge students and staff, I offer sincere thanks to your organization in getting shoes for our needy students. Almost ninety-percent of our students are low-income and living in poverty. Many have worn-out shoes, and three students in particular have worn women's shoes to school. Last year, several students told staff with great pride and joy that they had received shoes from your organization. Many even spoke about feeling better about coming to school. Others said that they no longer feel left out, and that they feel like they belong. In short, your organization, Shoes for the Soul, is a blessing and provides an invaluable service to our students at Pine Ridge. I sincerely hope your organization continues in existence to be able make a difference in the lives of students. Sincerely, ... K W, School Social Worker | An important part of Karen Morrissey's story, in my mind, is that Karen's actions were fueled by a deep need to change her own life. Her efforts are a two-way street where she gets as much satisfaction out of her endeavors as those who receive. This is an important point to remember so that giving does not create eventual burn-out. Out of the quest for a more authentic life, she opened herself to connect to a higher source of inspiration. Even though we face challenges when we start a completely new venture, the motivation to serve more than ourselves almost always creates a momentum that supports us through difficulties when we cannot see where assistance is going to come from. Happy holidays to everyone as we complete 2003. Happy December,
Carol Adrienne
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