Thanks for creating this blog. I thought it was a very interesting read. It is so interesting reading other peoples personal take on a subject.

Dear Ann and All,

One of the most profound experiences in connection I’ve had working with a friend and elder client was with Fern. Fern was in early mid-stages of Parkinson’s syndrome when I was introduced to her. She had never had massage before, but having a free spirit and wonderfully wry sense of humor, Fern was fully open to it. While in our early touch sessions, she revealed one afternoon that she often worried uncontrollably about things. We talked about the nature of worry itself, how it’s completely useless and, like a thief, steals away the present moment from us, and that the present moment is all we truly have. As the weeks and months went by Fern and I talked about her life and an undeniable respect, humor and trust developed between us. When she entered a care facility after a brain hemmorage, I asked if during our session I could read Rumi and play guitar for her. She gracefully accepted with a nod and a smile. The last time I saw Fern, she had been unable to speak for some time and had been bed ridden for almost two months. I arrived at her retirement community apartment with her her two nieces, her only family, and her live-in skilled caretaker. I said hello to everyone but wasted no time pulling up a chair next to Fern’s bed as our eyes locked with each other and her hand slid out from under the sheets to meet with mine. As we gazed at each other, my heart swooned as I could plainly see the light and the smile in her eyes, though she could not form much of an expression with her facial muscles anymore. Then she took her other hand and raising it toward the ceiling, followed it with her gaze until it was pointing straight up. Then she closed her eyes and with a little shake of her head, looked back at me, to tell me, “I’ve had enough, I’m ready to go.”

I said goodbye to Fern that afternoon and thanked her for all the wonderful time we spent together each week for over a year. She passed away two days later.

My hope is that many are as fortunate to experience this kind of precious connection with someone facing death and dying because it has the power to transform our ordinary view.

with many blessings,

Paul Norden, LMT

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