Hello,
I’m just going to put it out here.
I lost a friend to metastatic liver cancer a few days ago.
And I’m feeling all the feels.
He started out as a massage client and became a friend, dear to my heart. (As you all are).
I hadn't met him or known him prior to his diagnosis of cancer.
He entered my world late in his journey with cancer, a recipient of palliative care and found his way into my massage space in Southport every two weeks, like clockwork.
He was hopeful, he was depressed, he laughed with me and he cried. He didn’t come to me to be fixed, poked, prodded, medicated or tested.
He came to me to be seen, felt and heard, for relaxation, connection and peace.
In his own words “ a place of peace, solitude, a non-judgmental environment where it feels I am the only person that matters. I can rest, think of nothing, melt into the table and escape my thoughts and worry; clear my mind, realign my priorities. I will admit I am sometimes brought to tears knowing that I am in the gentle hands of someone who cares only for my well-being, even if it is just for that hour, every couple weeks.”
I saw him at his home for an oncology massage session about a week before he died. He told me that he had stopped all treatment and that he had had a conversation with Jesus. Jesus told him it was time. We both agreed and said,
“Well, how can you argue with that!” and laughed.
While I was gently holding his head, he pulled my cheek to his and we rested there for a few minutes just breathing and being together.
I believe we were a gift to each other and I am so grateful to have known him.
“We are all just walking each other home” is a famous quote by spiritual teacher Ram Dass who also recently left this world. He reminds us that regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs, we do not go through life alone. Mutual support and connection is what binds us together.
His book, with coauthor Mirabai Bush, Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying, explores with humour, heart and courage what it means to live and die consciously. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
I love the work that I do with individual clients, oncology clients, hospice patients and the connections that I make with people and their people. Whether it is by way of helping someone manage physical pain, stress, anxiety, or teaching a calming breathing technique, using light compassionate touch or no touch at all, just being fully present with them.
I know this is an essential part of my own personal development and spiritual journey here.
I’m so happy to share with you that I will be working with Hospice of the Low Country based in Bluffton, SC. And as of March 1st will be seeing individual clients in my Hilton Head and Bluffton locations only.
I have a few remaining sessions available during my last month in Southport.
2/13 @ 5:00pm, 2/27 @ 5:00pm and 2/29 @ 11:00am.
While our success is defined individually, one thing that seems universally true is that making the most of our one precious life requires us to be of service to others. To know we are not alone. To cultivate gratitude, connection, mindfulness, compassion and joy in the simple things, the simple beauty of living.
And dying.
I hope to see you soon.
Be Well & Shine On
Shannon
http://www.integrativerelaxation.com