Witnessing Kathryn Arena with children, whether they be her own grown daughters, her two grandsons or an anonymous child, is to watch ardor, diligence and attention in high form. Kate knows that parenting and learning is not attained by goodwill or chance. It requires hard work and an effort that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Kate and her husband Joe raised their daughters to honor and see the vitality in themselves and it is with this spirit that Kate approaches everything in her life. Her Soul Shoes manifest tender thought, attentiveness and deep appreciation birthed from recognizing the sacred,
They are dedicated to the unloved, impoverished, lonely children of the world – in a spirit of gratitude for the cherished lives of my grandsons. – Kathryn Arena
Kate’s Soul Shoes echoe the words of Kahil Gibran.
“Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love, but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward, nor tarries with yesterday.”
—Kahlil Gibran
