A Serendipitous Glimpse

Turning my head, I watched as the office door flung open. Then it

shut softly. She had been my last client of the day; a very extraordinary visit.

Pondering, I leaned back in my chair and took in the panoramic view of

the setting sun as it flowed into a crimson and violet sky. The morning had swept

by so quickly, the day now tiptoeing into a winter’s night. I realized I had

lost all track of time with the last appointment.

Dressed in wrinkled clothes and unkept hair, a middle-aged woman I

will call Janie sat before me. Absent was the bold manner seen in the

last two sessions. Instead, huge wrinkles etched her deep sepia eyes.

Her large, weathered hands trembled as she placed them in her lap.

Her weathered boot tapped, impatient to start.

Today there were new fields to plow. Suddenly, my opening greeting

stuck to my lips as an anguishing jolt crashed through my hip leaving me

dizzy. Then another surge of pain. Lightheaded, I righted my posture in the

chair, believing it best to end the session.

But Janie had other plans. Life had come tumbling down all around her.

A flood of distress poured forth. Her father died suddenly. Then she lost her

job and faced a possible eviction.

Janie was sobbing. Meanwhile, my hip was throbbing.

Janie’s eyes met mine, waiting for encouragement. Direction. In a quiet tone

I spoke. She did the same.

Our thoughts enfolded as understanding flowed smooth and pure like

golden honey. Time was limitless… as we shared a unified moment. Together, we

stepped into a kind of amazing wavelength.

I was "in my mind," not my body. The crashing hip pain no longer registered.

Instead, thoughts and words were connecting. Empathic. Enlightened.

Janie’s emotions were as fluid as a painter’s brush—swirling like a brilliant

color, creating cosmic delight. We had a serendipitous exchange resplendent

with wisdom. Bonding together. An awesome moment, certainly one to be savored.

The sweetness of this session remained in the air. Something powerful had

occurred. We had fully engaged ourselves, opening the door to another

place in a alternate zone. Pain had eased, energies refreshed and willing.

***

I sat relishing the afterglow … wondering about this tunneled journey.

Today the challenges of life had found a place of refuge within these four

walls. Many upsets had resounded, then secreted into the plaster and

paint—now etched in our hearts.

Yes, I wonder if this experience will happen again … and when it does, I

will be ready.

… “and that’s how I live it.”

This blog was adapted from my book, "Paid in Chocolate, Tales from a Counselor’s Chair."

2018.