Before I continue my story, I need to tell you about “B.” (My then fiance.)
“B” had quite a past. I’d call it a bit shady. It involved some illegal dealings, alcohol abuse, but more so – drugs. Married once but divorced, and had a daughter. “B” road a Harley, and drove a Mazda RX7. He was a truck driver for the Port of Seattle. Born and bred in the Pacific Northwest.
“B” had been injured on the job. He was waiting for his first back surgery when we met. A mutual friend of ours had introduced us. To be honest, I wasn’t interested in dating him. He had ‘bad boy’ written all over him. We were friends for about six months before he asked me out on a date. I said no but he persisted, and things moved quickly from there.
He had a deep, raspy smoker’s voice, and eyes as blue as the ocean. He tended to be quiet. He didn’t have to try to be intimidating, he just was. He always treated me like his queen but eventually, the medications for his back issues were never enough. He went through his first back surgery, and it was an epic fail! He needed a second surgery. He started abusing prescription and street drugs. Everything started going sideways. He just simply checked out and stayed high.
Back to my story.
The visit to the first physical therapist I saw after my car accident did not go well. I was on edge about attending my pool session, and it was a class, would I be turned away? I went hoping for the elusive “relief” from the pain I was constantly in.
I met Avril. She would be in my life for the next two years. I attended her class Mondays through Fridays, and occasionally on Saturdays. I would have been there Sundays as well, but they didn’t have class. I got into that water and just started to float… tears ran from my eyes, I could not believe the relief I felt! Magic! I was supported by the water. Most days I would join the class for exercises, making sure I was in deep enough that the water touched my chin, supporting my neck and everything below. On very bad pain days, I spent most of the class time just floating! Sheer bliss!
Another man who would remain in my life for many years was Paul, a massage therapist. I developed a ‘thing’ about people touching me. (Chronic pain does that to a person.) So, stripping to my underwear and having a strange man touch me with nothing but a sheet over me was… unsettling. It was a painful experience at first, then it became an absolute necessity to work out the knots that formed in my body due to the pain I was always in.
Me, picking up the phone: “Hello?”
Paul (in choppy English): “Hi Kim, you come today?”
“Yes, Paul. Two o’clock, right?
“Yes Kim, two o’clock, I have surprise for you-u-u-u!”
“A surprise? Please, Paul, no surprises.”
“Yes! A surprise, come today, OK?”
“See you at two o’clock, Paul.”
Avril and Paul, my first supporters. My tribe. My healers. My friends. Paul did have a surprise for me the day he called me. I got to meet Jimmy Hendrix’s dad James Hendrix, or “Al” as he preferred to be called. Al was a great guy, and I tried not to slather my appreciation all over him for being the father to the greatest guitar player I had ever heard. Al was cool. I know I slathered!
~Kim
Want to review or catch up? After I Tripped (#1)
A closet groupie, huh?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Is there anyway out of this? Ok, Steve. Yes. You opened the door and exposed me! 🤣😂🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
God Kim, your life has been like a movie.
I’m completely hooked on you, girl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it funny? The things that happen… life really is stranger than fiction. You’re the best, Bojana! Thank you, love!💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is. I think every single human being can write such a story. It only we had known when younger how our lives would turn out…Hard to believe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely agree! No idea what life would be… !
LikeLiked by 1 person
A romantic comedy. Too good to be true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it wonderful when you find something that gives you so much relief? I’m sure meeting Al was quite an experience too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is wondeful!!! Yes, poor Al! I think I made an impression, “goofy lady.” He was so kind to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really love this post Kim. Finding something that ‘feels good’ is such a blessing, I am so glad you found the ‘floating’ a success. Jimmy Hendrix dad…wow! I would have felt the same….so awesome! Have a beautiful weekend Kim….stay afloat! ❤️️❤️️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️️
LikeLiked by 1 person
lucky men all Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank goodness you had such great therapists Kim. Wow! Meeting Jimi Hendrix dad. Awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, stellar therapists for sure, Brigid. Al was so kind and gracious. It was a pleasure to meet him. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would have slathered and dribbled and blabbered away. Jees, Hendrix’s dad?! That’s awesome!
I’m also glad you had those two in your life as your first tribe to get you on the road you are on now.xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
HaHA! Yes! Poor Al, he took all I could dish out. Yes, incredible therapists, Avril and Paul. THE BEST! Thanks, Caz! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yours is an epic story, Kim. As B, said, I am hooked on you!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awe. The feeling is mutual! You Rock! 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Beautiful!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too have felt the pure relief from the water. When I had avascular necrosis in my hip the only thing that relieved any of the pain was the pool. It was pure magic. I can still feel the emotions that I felt when I walked down that ramp, with a walker, into that warm water and let my body just float, amazing. I strengthened that hip in the water so the recovery from the hip replacement was so much easier, but the relief I felt in there…well I cannot put into words what that meant to me. I now know you understand that.
I always wanted a pool for relief, now that I have one where we are renting, I realize I do not want one. Taking care of the dang thing for the couple of months I could use it (yes here in the desert the water was too dang cold) well that is not worth it. Taking care of it causes way too much pain. Sure glad I found that out before we bought. whew.
Paul had the best surprise ever!! I would definitely have gushed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pools are a lot of work, Wen! My hubby had to get his pool license as one apartment building he did maintenence for had a pool. He said we will never have a pool! Just when everything looks good, something breaks! So, finding classes are best but they are hard to find. (Warm water classes.) It is complete magic when the water supports you and the pain is relieved! Yes, I know what you are talking about. There is nothing like it. Yes, my buddy Paul… always something going on with him and he loved sharing whatever it was with me! It was so cool. xo~k.
LikeLike