Lessons From Handicaps, Part 2:
The Eyes That See
I have a blind friend who lives in New York City. Although we have never met
face to face, we still write each other frequently. She is a remarkable lady and
has become like a sister to me. Her optimistic and enthusiastic letters always
lift my spirits and the inspiring poems she shares with the world always bring a
smile to my face. She is all the more amazing due to the fact that she lost her
sight halfway through her life. She had to give up her career and relearn to do
everything that most of us take for granted. Many would have given up after such
a loss but not her. Instead she embarked on a glorious new life full of award
winning volunteer work. Her days are full of teaching English to new immigrants,
counseling hurting hearts, writing, serving her religious community, and helping
others in every way she can.
The light of my friend’s example is a beacon that I try to follow as well.
Whenever I feel too challenged in my own life I look at the challenges that she
has overcome in hers. She may have lost her sight but she never lost her soul.
She knows that the eyes that really see are the eyes of the heart, and she does
her best everyday to follow the loving vision that they give to her. I am sure
too that the eyes of the angels watching over her are always filled with tears
of joy and that their faces are always full of shining smiles.
I hope then that when you go through your own life you are not distracted by the
murky view that this world so often gives you. I hope that you see it for the
illusion it is and instead look at life with the clear vision of your heart’s
eyes. God wants us to see this world and our lives through the eyes of love. It
is only then that our sight will be pure It is only then that our path will
shine brightly before us. It is only then that we will see how we were meant to
live and how we can best bring Heaven to Earth.
Joseph J. Mazzella
Joe Mazzella is a writer and mental Health worker who lives in the mountains of
West Virginia with his 3 children, 6 dogs, and 4 cats. He appreciates hearing
from his readers.
Joemazzella@frontier.com