We’d been home for five days in a row with blizzard like conditions and subzero temperatures when I started feeling restless. Because I love being home and reading and writing, sleeping in, organizing things, it takes a while for it to set in. I’ve learned that the feeling of being ill at ease after several days at home means I’m missing connection with other people. So when I looked at my calendar and saw an appointment for what I call an adjustment (that osteopaths name a manipulation), I got ready to don long underwear and leave the house. When cabin fever sets in, even a medical appointment will do!
Accompanying the doctor into the treatment room was a tall young woman with dark hair and glowing skin who moved gracefully and seemed at ease. The doctor introduced her as a third-year student and asked if it was okay if she worked on me. Sometimes I’m not comfortable being a guinea pig, but how are the students going to learn if they don’t have anyone to practice on? I took another look at her and we made eye contact. She clearly felt comfortable in the situation, and this led me to feel comfortable saying, “Sure.”
She was a good student and before doing any adjustments asked the important questions physicians ask these days, like “Is it okay if I touch your chest? Your hip?” She sounded sincere in asking them, before proceeding to twist me this way and that. The instructions she gave were simple and easy to understand and her voice had a curious blend of authority and playfulness.
It was her playfulness that came through the best and it helped me feel connected to her. After about fifteen minutes—I know this because of the big clock on the wall—she told me to flip over. I groaned and snickered. “You guys think it’s so easy to turn over.” They laughed with me.
When finally firmly on my back, she gave me a few other instructions, which I followed faithfully. But something didn’t seem quite right so I asked her to repeat what she had said. When she did, I realized to my chagrin that I had done the exact opposite of what she said. This was amusing and I giggled a bit at my error. She simply nodded. After I did the opposite of what I had just done, she literally pulled my leg and I laughed out loud. Something about the situation felt like I was in an old Bugs Bunny cartoon.
As she began yet another maneuver, I looked into her sparkling eyes and said, “You love this don’t you?”
“Yes,” she said, “I do!”
I felt so connected to this young woman. I wished her well in her career. I was ready to go home again and enjoy my solitude after having such lovely connection with her.
How do you know when you are needing human connection?
IMAGE: Flowers in a blizzard. (Beautiful Birthday gift from Mason & Lisbeth)
