National Adult Literacy Database

August 18, 2003

This story was written by Gloria, from the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario. Gloria was born in Jamaica in 1934. She came to Canada in 1988 and joined East End Literacy in September 2000. In 2002 her poem entitled, "Land of Promise" was published in "The Land That I dream Of", a collection of writings by Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy (MTML) and Word On The Street. Her piece below, "Beauty Is Not Blind" received the EEL Writing Award at East End Literacy's 2002-2003 Graduation. In June 2003 Gloria realized her dream of becoming a Canadian Citizen.

Beauty Is Not Blind

by Gloria

To me beauty is when we love each other and care for each other. Is not beauty inside the heart? The beauty we all have as we love God.

Beauty on the outside is not the thing. The thing is when beauty is on the inside. It makes a difference in your life.

When I was a young woman I was a pretty girl, but as time went by and age went by, my beauty seemed to fade. It's a great change as we get older and many of us meet misfortune. I went through many physical problems. I was blind for nine years.

I felt bad and sad because it came down on me suddenly and I wasn't born like this. I cried many, many days. Although, I had lost my sight, I still found beauty in the world around me. Nothing was taken away from me, but it was hard.

It was my faith and praising of God that helped me come to terms with my condition.

So now, even though I have grown old. I decided to go back to school to East End Literacy. I am glad for the kind teachers. Now that's beautiful.

[This story was taken with permission, from A Collection of Student Articles, February 2003, entitled What is Beauty?, written by students at East End Literacy.]