It still seems like it was just yesterday. Our first meeting was one of getting to know each other. I needed help, desperately needed someone or something to help. I had sunk down pretty low and fortunately found my way to Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha by way of a mutual friend. It took me a year to place the call to her to make an appointment with her for self-image coaching. I procrastinated yes, for a full year before I got the courage to call her and say I’d like to meet with you. Even in the state I was in, I put it off. Finally, I found my way to Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha and my life was changed forever! In our time together I shared with her that I had thought about going to school to become a Massage Therapist. I had recently gotten a massage and decided that I had to make sure everyone knew how wonderful massages felt!
I also shared that thought with the Licensed Massage Therapist who gave me my first massage, that I thought I might be interested in doing this myself. The therapist told me to really give it some thought. Being of small stature of 4’11” it could be challenging, and did I think I’d be strong enough physically to handle the work. Then she brought up that I am a Type 1 diabetic, and how that could also influence my ability to do massages. I thought I’d get more support from her and I don’t think she was trying to dissuade me. I believe she was just wanting me to be looking at all aspects of the field.
As was typical for me I talked
about it but didn’t put any real energy into finding out about any local
schools that offered massage therapy. Understand that this was 1984 and there
weren’t many trade schools or colleges at that time that offered such a course.
As a matter of fact, there were two. One in Akron, Ohio and one in Columbus,
Ohio. It was Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha that
brought all the information about them to my attention. She asked me if I was
really willing to let what somebody said to me take away my dream?
These cities, for me, were light years away. Technically the school in Akron was approximately 35 miles away. I can tell you I didn’t stray far from my home. As a young woman in my 20’s, the distance to Akron seemed much too far away to go to school and Columbus was simply out of the question for me.
As we would discuss the prospect of me attending one of these schools, I’m pretty sure I came up with every reason and excuse I could find as to why it just wouldn’t work. Too far away, too much money, I don’t want to do it by myself and on and on I went. I kept up with my sessions with Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha and the topic didn’t come up again for a while.
After one of our sessions, she asked what I had planned for the upcoming Saturday, and I had nothing planned. She said we were going for a ride she wanted to show me something. Not too far into the drive she shared we were going to The Ohio College of Massotherapy in Akron to check out their curriculum and all they had to offer. It didn’t take long for us to take a liking to the people there. And WE SIGNED UP, yes both of us!
If the magnitude of this action
on Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha’s part isn’t apparent to you, let me point out a few
things.
First of all, she had a growing young family in her care as well as other important responsibilities on her plate. Our relationship was fairly new and budding, not one of those where we knew each other for years and years and we were best of friends. And yet she went out of her way to find out the name of and the location of the school and brought me there AND signed up with me!! Even though she told me she was interested in learning about massage therapy I don’t feel it was something she actually needed in her life. Not to mention the investment of time and money to do this. I was amazed but truthfully Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha just made it seem like it was just no big deal. Like that’s how you get things done. I did promise that I would drive myself to the school. LOL It was time to grow up and do something for myself!! I was scared but I was really excited to have this new venture going on in my life. Something to look forward to. Without Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha I would not have ever taken the leap to do this and she knew it. She did this for me! With her support and guidance and gentle push I made it through the course and the two weekend programs required to graduate.
Due to personal reasons Grandmother was unable to complete the course, but she never stopped being a guide, a strong supporter; that person I could just call to ask questions or share any doubts I might have. My Anatomy and Physiology teacher made sure I was aware of his belief that I was in a place that I wasn’t going to pass the State Boards. She just told me to do my best and I’d make it regardless of his opinion. Just Do It again are you going to let someone else determine your outcome? I passed the state medical board test in December of 1985 and believe it or not, did better on the anatomy and physiology portion than on the massage practical test!
To this day my heart over flows with gratitude and love for Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha for what transpired that year. I have enjoyed the gift of being a Licensed Massage Therapist for many many years. While I did the work to get through it, that road would have never been traveled down were it not for her Gift of Support to me. Wado and always much love to you Grandmother Pa’Ris’Ha!
By BF
