The month so far has been one of big feelings. We stood and watched the beginning of something magical, as Mona met her first clients. We felt the elation and the heartache of learning that Clint would be going out of state to grad school. We met incredible, promising candidates who eagerly interviewed for a new position as massage therapists here. And, while that is all very exciting and makes for great stories, I find myself wanting to tell a small story of a simple moment I had earlier this week.
There's a client I'd wanted to be sure to meet, and she was in early. I arrived a bit after 8am to find our therapist, Ali, already getting prepared. This client is an amazing person, who has lived a full and fascinating life. She has reached the point now, though, where pain is a daily reality, and getting around isn't as easy as it used to be.
It feels so important to me to make her feel welcome, and to give her the very best care that can be given. I feel that deeply in my heart. But as deeply as I felt it, I watched Ali before and after this appointment. I watched her face fill with anguish when talking about the client's pain. I saw the sincere joy and satisfaction she had, not just in being able to help, but having met the client at all.
To me, Ali is compassion in human form. Another therapist and I worded it this way in conversation: “Ali massages the soul.” And, while this is certainly a story of my great admiration for the work that Ali does, I think it's important to place it in its larger context. This is the sort of thing that makes each of us want to come to work at Soma. We get to do the right thing. We get to help people, no matter who they are, who they love, or where they come from. We get to heal.
It's important to say this too: For all the many benefits of massage therapy, and all of the support our therapists provide people every day, YOU support us too! We are so much better when we get to devote ourselves to this work. It matters to each of us, deeply. We truly do love our clients!
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