I was speaking to one of the ladies I help with caregiving for her family. When I speak to her, I try to validate the good things I know she did in her life. I intentionally remind her of the love she poured into her work and family, and how that love she poured out in turn went on to … Read more about Love
Massage Can Be Different For Each of Us
Massage Can Be Different for Each of Us. Is that really true? Does every massage have to begin with a person lying face down on my massage table and me standing over them. The answer is NO. Recently I was struggling with how to help my elderly massage client who lives in a small room in a … Read more about Massage Can Be Different For Each of Us
Massage, Elder Care, Life
We develop many skills over the years in whatever work situation we may be in. I have always been a caregiver in some way. For over three decades I have been a family massage therapist, and for two decades I have cared for seniors and the last few years I have worked with dementia patients. In … Read more about Massage, Elder Care, Life
Why Am I Still Here?
"Why am I still living? What does it matter if I'm here or not"? Recently I had an elderly friend express this to me. This is not the first time I have heard a senior ask this question. I seriously pondered it because I really love the seniors that I work with and I wanted to give an example of a … Read more about Why Am I Still Here?
The Spiritual Side of a Massage Therapist.
In my 36 years as a Licensed Massage Therapist, my practice mainly consists of families. If you ask me why, I will have to say that it sort of happened as natural course of things. Because my massage practice takes me into people’s homes, I get to interact with everyone in the household. From … Read more about The Spiritual Side of a Massage Therapist.
Testimonial For Valentina Boonstra
Testimonial – June Chaplin The other day someone told me she thought I was in my fifties. I am actually 79, pushing 80! “It’s the way you move” she said. Thank you, Valentina, I said to myself. I admit it, when I first knew Valentina, I ignored her good advice-after all, I walked the … Read more about Testimonial For Valentina Boonstra
This and That
Over the years, I have shared with you my many stories about the experiences I have had with clients in massage and caregiving. I often joke that my best accomplishment has been going this long with out having to have a job. I have always worked on my own terms, in my own business. Several years … Read more about This and That
Morning Stiffness
What do you do when you wake up in the morning and and the simple movement involved in getting out of bed has put your spine into a breathtaking painful spasm? The first thing I do is I reach for one of my fabulous rice bags, pop it into the microwave and heat it up. Then put it on my back as I … Read more about Morning Stiffness
Small Acts of Kindness
There are plenty of problems and issues to go around these days. From pandemics to Grandparents raising Grandchildren, to people who are caretakers for their parents. It can be overwhelming to say the least. I have been working with Sarah Care in Melbourne for a few years now, and I understand … Read more about Small Acts of Kindness
Valentina’s Book of Crones
The beginnings When I decided I wanted to write a book about time I have spent with Crones, I was thinking mainly of the three elderly women that I took care of for years. You may, or may not be familiar with the three basic stages of womanhood. there is the early stage, or as its named … Read more about Valentina’s Book of Crones
The Crone Stories – Alice
Crone Stories – Alice I first met Alice when I started massaging her daughter. Sue, her daughter, was about to have Alice move in with her. Alice had suffered a stroke which had incapacitated her a few years before and she had a live-in caretaker. She was happy to be with her daughter … Read more about The Crone Stories – Alice
The Crone Stories – Edna
The beauty of doing house calls as a massage therapist is you often get to meet your client’s extended family. Not only that, but there have also been quite a few times when my clients would treat their guests to one of my massages. I met Edna because her dear daughter in law would treat her to … Read more about The Crone Stories – Edna
