Tattoos on the Heart

Taking the recommendation of some of my retired friends, I held off on making any immediate plans while I rested and reflected. But I feel ready to begin processing my years of learning and serving. In the past couple of years there have been so many of our neighbors (those we serve) at Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center who have died, often before their age would be the cause. Many very tragic. Many, I have known for years and accompanied them in their struggles. Taking in these losses, as well as those who are thankfully still living but struggling, I have internalized a concept I heard several years ago when starting this work. RC Catholic priest, Fr. Boyle, who works with gangs in California, talk about an instance where his kindness made such an impact, the young man on the receiving end of that kindness said he would “tattoo it on his heart.” I’ve never forgotten that image and in the past 6 months have realized that it perfectly describes the impact many of our neighbors over 14 years have had on me. So I am beginning my blog to share that learning, but of course with names changed and circumstances blurred to ensure anonymity. I will likely include music often, as it is a powerful vehicle for me to process.

Diane: one of our neighbors who came in on various occasions. She was always stressed. She had a very hard story and just couldn’t get a break. A single mother with an abusive partner and her own struggles with alcohol and drugs. She wanted to make a change and asked for help. She was needing to take a recertification exam for her profession. She gained help from one of our UNE interns and Biddeford Adult Education to prep for the exam. The day of the exam a former partner decided to give her a hard time about an issue with one of the kids. She was rattled. But she showed up and took the exam. She came to me afterwards to tell me about it. I asked her how she was able to hold it together to take the exam. She said she thought about the help she had received from us and others and how much she wanted this. Then she said, “And I remembered who I am.” Those 6 words became tattooed on my heart.

One of the primary goals at Seeds of Hope was always to help our neighbors reach their highest level of independence. To do that often just requires letting the individual know that we believe in them. And over time some will begin to believe in themselves.