Compassionate touch has transformed my life on so many levels; however its impact has resonated most profoundly in my relationship with my daughter: My family!
After 13 years with my husband, business partner and the father of my children, we parted amicably to evolve into a family that lives apart from each other. Today, my stepson is 18 and my daughter 7 years old.
At first, the pain of losing the touch of an overly affectionate man (and his equally affectionate son) was the most bitter-sweet to pain to live. The feelings of withdrawal from this kind of physical comfort brought forth a myriad of emotions which found their way to expression in some part of my body. My body was processing the grief and it was speaking to me in the language of pain. My feet seemed to be great fortune tellers for what my emotions were churning. Amazing how the human organism is chock-full of innate knowledge for finding its natural balance. It is a great teacher if we are ready to listen to its subtle messages.
As I embarked on this new less touchy path, I realized that I began to withdraw from touch; even from my daughter. I missed her dad and brother so much that it hurt in my heart to feel the depth of her hug fore it had me remember theirs.
So, I dismantled the remnants of my married life, I set forth doing any work that I could get my hands upon. I wanted to volunteer in a senior’s residence which I did and then grace shined down and a friend recommended that I should care for someone in their home.
So there, I began caring for an elderly woman partially paralyzed from a stroke. Having no formal care experience, I dived into the task from my heart. I learned the skills quickly and the tasks were somehow effortless. It was easy to do this job because the intention was to care and my heart needed something to care about again. The more I got to know the woman, the more she relaxed in my presence. With her permission, I began doing light foot massages and was truly amazed at the depth of the relaxation that these touch sessions evoked.
My daughter is my regular companion these days and comes along occasionally in my caregiving work. The impact of her observations of Mommy at work was never as evident as when I fell ill with the flu a few weeks ago. In my weakened state, I was so moved when my daughter naturally went to work caring for me…rubbing Mommy’s feet and demonstrating the gentlest loving touch.
“Touch has a memory” or so this quote from John Keats in the Navina™ E-Magazine – Family Touch edition…would have us ponder. This idea drew me into the folds of this wonderful publication and since then I have been devouring the information and techniques relating them to my life and family. Thank you Navina Thai Massage; so grateful for this gift of compassionate touch for the immense goodness it cultivates.
If this article by Josephine hits some chords for you and you want to know more about learning Thai Massage for yourself, please check out our “Thai Massage at Home” page, and/or the following articles: “3 Ways Thai Massage Enhances Self-Awareness“, and “How Thai Massage Can Change Your Life“.
This is beautiful. This is the gift we all share.