She's Got My Back

For four or five years now I've been treating myself to a massage once a month or so. During this time I've become friends with my MT (massage therapist). Her name is Keanne.

As you know, or should know by now, I follow the signs. One day I went into Saturn Club Hair Salon to chat with Becky, the owner. She'd been an early sponsor of my magazine ventures - we go back a long way. I was asking her about some of her former employees and she told me how to look them up. She wrote the phone number and address on the back of one of Keane's business cards. Becky gave me some information about Keanne, what she charged, where she was located, I phoned her up, dropped Becky's name and scheduled an appointment.

The friendship started immediately... just a spark, but there were things we had in common that would allow us to be friends. There wasn't that angst about getting to know each other or anything. It just happened during conversations and massages. We'd talk about traveling, family, writing, relationships, astrological signs (she's Aries), health and fitness and anything else that came up.

During the five years she's been tracking my fitness progress and helping me through an injury or two (or more). Her hands, she says, have a relationship with my body - which is to say she can feel the difference in muscle development, inflammation, scar tissue, etc. Having someone confirm what my scale is telling me and what I see in my reflection is indeed a big help, because sometimes I don't completely believe my eyes. At some point last year (2015) I could feel that my back had gotten leaner, if not more muscular. There was less fat between her hands and the muscles in my back.

Since  the countdown started I wanted to be sure to get a photo of us to add to the blog.  (cell phone pic so not very sharp)

We've shared a lot of stories and one of the compliments she shared was that she quotes me to her friends and clients and also refers to me as an example of discipline and fitness and health.

I'll certainly get a few more massages throughout this year.

I have to say, Keanne is definitely one-of-a-kind in mind, spirit and body. I'll miss her a lot, but she's pretty mobile. I can envision our paths crossing in some unexpected country, planned or unplanned.

Thanks, Hon. Much Love.