Day 171: Healing the World One Foot at a Time
One of the greatest gifts I get through 365give are the people I meet. Either a friend of a friend or through Facebook and Twtter. It amazes me how generous people are and brilliantly changing the world in their own way. I have recently had some health challenges and I always seek non-medical ways of healing my body. Whether is is message therapy, chiropractic, naturopathic or reflexology. I recently had a reflexology treatment by a women I greatly admire. She is a mother, wife, reflexologist and volunteer. Her name is Jen and I asked her to share her story as a volunteer in my community. She is helping a group of people that I think are so worthy of our time. A generation of people we sometimes forget about and discount because of their age.
Day 171: Give 171
JenVolunteering to Give……and Get
People volunteer for many different reasons. I volunteer for stories.
Every other Thursday morning I donate an hour of time and my skills as a reflexologist at the West Vancouver Seniors Centre. In doing so, I get the best of both worlds. Not only do I love the hands on approach with reflexology but I get to hear stories from the seniors.
Stories about the lives they have led, adventures they have had, places they have been to and all the many changes they have seen. Sometimes I have my four year old daughter in tow and seeing her always sparks a proud story about their own children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
Our elders are a wealth of knowledge and history and I love being privy to the anecdotes and tales they tell. I love to see their faces light up as they talk knowing that the stories they share, their memories, are worthwhile and valuable.
Sure these stories are mainly from the past but the present person, whose feet I hold in my hands, is made up of these memories. Hearing those stories makes me look forward to seeing them in the future……two Thursdays later.
Guest Writer
My name is Jen and I am a stay-at-home mum and certified foot reflexologist. I work by donation as I feel that the people who could benefit from a service like mine are most likely stay-at-home mums and seniors who may not feel they can afford a ‘treat’ such as a reflexology session. I can be mobile and give sessions to someone in their own home and I also have a space to give sessions in North Vancouver. I can be reached at 604-985-3895 or email at [email protected]