My Little Spa Life

Inside the mind of a single woman as she performs her chosen work on a random Tuesday.

Staring out the window as I work, I am dazzled by the way the sky is divided into two polar opposites this afternoon. The vacationers lie, swing and trot along the beach in the brilliant golden sunshine, seemingly unaware of the fierce, thick blanket of clouds making its way across the sky from the east. I keep my eyes fixed on the horizon so as not to miss a single quick spark of lightning in the distance. My hands glide over my client's skin with gentle ease. I suppress the urge to increase the pressure, bearing down with my fists or forearm or elbows. She has requested a Swedish, relaxation massage as she is, "only here to chill". Her wish is my command, although I can feel how tense her muscles are and surely she would benefit from some deep tissue work! I remind myself that this is her hour, and perhaps it is I who should "chill". I also remind myself that this is my dream job, and how lucky I am to be able to have this view while working, having the unique ability to make this woman's day better.
My mind drifts back to the day I decided to quit my nursing job, approximately six months ago. I walked out of that hospital not only physically and mentally exhausted, but also with an overwhelming feeling of defeat. At the time, quitting felt just as much a relief as it did a failure. I know now that walking away from the stress, misery, stench and sadness...and even the beautiful connections I've made with my patients...proved to be the best decision I've ever made for myself.
And so I find myself here, at this gorgeous seaside resort, doing what I love and earning a living by helping people relax, renew and recharge. Lavender aroma dances in the air of my peaceful spa room to the soft rhythm of "Blue Ocean Bliss" flowing from the ceiling speakers. The woman on my table quietly inhales as my fingers travel to the nape of her neck and up through her hair to her scalp. She exhales slowly and deeply, and I close my eyes. From my hands to her skin and back to my hands, a mutual exchange is taking place. I find a pressure point and hold, just as the faint sound of thunder reaches our space from somewhere in the distance.
Summer rainstorms are my favorite part of Florida life, and the reason I have stayed all these years. When I am safe inside and cozy in my spa room or in my small one-bedroom condo, the afternoon storms spark an awakening from deep within and I am filled with peace and joy. As a child growing up in New York State, the snowfall outside my window had a similar effect on me. I remember feeling safe, dry and warm inside, but of course the feeling altogether was not the same. New York and Florida are worlds apart in every way imaginable.
I moved to Florida twenty years ago with my ex husband and our two children, in hopes of his medical career creating some sort of stability for our family. We had tried other states...New Jersey, Minnesota, Georgia. But when two adults are collectively never satisfied, roots can't possibly be planted. We made our way to the Tampa Bay area and our marriage fell apart soon thereafter. This, too, proved to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. How grateful I am to be single with no relationship troubles and living in The Sunshine State!
My single life is something I hold onto with the tightest of grips. I have considered dating again, (after several failed attempts), but I can't seem to find a way to explain to someone that although it would be nice to partake in romantic companionship (maybe once, twice per week?), I am not willing to sacrifice one ounce of my freedom. Not one ounce! Years ago, a senior patient of mine flat out warned me during one of her appointments. She wagged a finger at me saying, "Be careful! Because the longer you live alone, the harder it will be to ever live with a man again."
My goodness, was there a whole lot of truth to that statement!
A typical workday for me starts with an early morning jog on the Gulf-front path just outside my door. I run from my property to our sister property about a mile-and-a-half away and then back. I shower, eat a healthy breakfast and get dressed for work. My 25 minute drive to the resort is usually spent listening to an audiobook, talking to a friend or just enjoying some sweet solitude in silence. By 9:30 I am clocking in and ready to set up my spa room. I do massage therapy, body treatments and facials until 6:00pm and then it's time to shut down. There is not a shift that I've worked where I haven't thought about those dreadfully long, 12-hour hospital shifts and all of the stress that came with it. There is not a day that goes by that doesn't either begin or end in gratitude for the decisions I've made which have led me here.
I open my eyes to see splatters of a thousand raindrops on the windowpane as the wind whips the dark grey clouds' contents across the sea and sand. The sight is glorious. The sound is divine. The soft yellow flames of the shelf candles are flickering and my little spa room is glowing. I perform a final sweep across my client's back and end with a few light compressions.
"That was just wonderful. Thank you so much. I don't want to leave!" she said.
With a smile, I left her with instructions to get up slowly, and to meet me in the hallway after she has dressed. When she came out I handed her a cup of water and wished her well.
"You work in paradise!", she said. "It must be so peaceful."
"It truly is." I replied.
It truly is.