Our Care and Attention



torsos of 2 older adults with linked arms

"Thank you very much for all of your care and attention today."

This was in an email from a new client I saw the other night. Complicated health issues, lots of accommodations and adjustments. I was nervous about the appointment. I think my client was, too. But we pushed through. The client had a good (and hopefully effective) massage experience. I learned some things. And they’re coming back soon.

I cannot express how much I needed this successful interaction this week.

The grief and stress people are carrying onto the massage table seems so much bigger than it has ever been. One client last week was a few minutes late because she had to stop at her synagogue where there had been a bomb threat. Another client was on my table a day after his best friend died.

Heavy. Things are heavy.

And then, “Thank you very much for all of your care and attention today.”

When I sat down to write this note, I thought it would be about ‘how to take care of ourselves as we take care of others’. But I don’t have any innovative solutions here.

Get enough sleep. See some sunshine and trees every day. Move your body as you are able. Etcetera.

And maybe, take a moment to pause at the end of each work day and consider the care and attention you have provided. Be attentive to how the work we do improves the lives of our clients. Drink it in. And then do it again tomorrow.

That’s what I’m trying, anyhow. Drop me a note and tell me what’s working (or not) for you.