So, here we are in the very beginning of January 2011. Of course, everyone is looking back at 2010 and many blog posts will be devoted to “what have we learned”; and, admittedly, I did learn A LOT. However, I feel that a quick listing of the highlights of my year will allow me the opportunity to sum everything up in a nutshell. So, here goes…
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I needed to relocate my massage therapy office. A blessing in disguise, I am now in a fabulous location right downtown in Farmington, having officially moved in October 13, 2010. My clients and myself have enjoyed the proximity to so many wonderful shops, boutiques and restaurants, the weekly Farmer’s Market, and the local library. We have also enjoyed the beautiful design of my new office that allows all of us to enter the space and experience immediate stress-reduction, as we are surrounded by peace, quiet, and soothing colors.
My massage therapy business thrived, despite the current Michigan economy. Most of my clients have recognized the importance of regular massage therapy as part of their preventative care. With stress levels so high, and the accompanying physical pain that is often a by-product of chronic stress, people are continuing to choose massage therapy as a low-cost, natural alternative to support their health.
I enjoyed the opportunity to mentor a newly graduated massage therapist, and although she has since moved on, it was a pleasure to watch her learn where her niche was in this amazing profession. I wish Katie the best as she pursues her passion while working in a chiropractor’s office, bringing pain relief to his patients.
As with many things, though, when a door closes, a window opens. I am thrilled to welcome Kristin Klein to my office. She has moved here all the way from Alabama in an effort to join me in working with women and providing support during pregnancy, childbirth, and she is also offering postpartum doula services which will allow a new mom to have a second set of hands to assist her during her transition home in the first few weeks of having a new baby.
As a massage doula, I was blessed with the privilege of assisting 8 families during labor and childbirth to meet their babies for the first time! 5 girls and 3 boys took their first breaths this year, and 4 women became mothers for the first time!
On a personal note, my family suffered the loss of 2 wonderful women this year as well. Within 2 weeks of each other, my husband’s 94-year old grandmother died peacefully in her sleep on July 31 and my sister-in-law’s husband lost his mother unexpectedly when she died in her sleep on August 11, 2010. It was an incredibly difficult time for us, as anyone who has lost a family member can imagine. Both women had been wonderful mothers and grandmothers, our Grammy was also a great-grandmother as well. We will miss them both. My own grandmother suffered a mild stroke and is thankfully recovering, if slowly. My husband continues to care weekly for his father whose health is unfortunately deteriorating slowly. As you can see, even massage therapists are not immune to experiencing times of great stress. It is for this reason that I am extremely grateful to all of my clients who allowed me the honor of working with them during a very difficult year. For me, giving massage is as therapeutic as receiving it!
The year ended on a high note, as I attended the birth of my 8th doula baby of the year. This was the 3rd baby for my client, all girls, and the first birth I have witnessed where the amniotic sac remained intact until the baby’s head was born. That amazing birth will be a described in a separate post very soon. Suffice it to say that in today’s highly-medicalized birthing environment, it is rare for a doula to see and I count myself very privileged to have the experience!
As of today, my own children have returned to school and I am returning to my office after a much needed break. I am very excited to see what 2011 holds for me, my family, and my business.
Well, those are the highlights of my year. I would like to thank my family and friends who held me up when I felt myself crumbling beneath the pressures that naturally come with so much happening. I would also like to thank my clients, without whom, I would not be able to enjoy so much professional success.
I hope that everyone can join me in looking at the new year as one full of hope, promise, and good things to come!!!
Grammy, you will be missed by us all!
2nd Massage Therapy Room
My new Massage Room
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