So, why does she hug all those strangers?!

I had planned it down to the minute: I had to be out of the house the next morning before 6 AM to catch a flight with my daughter's soccer team. I had volunteered to be a chaperone for the weekend. Therefore, I had chosen to arrive at the event center early to grab a good parking spot for an easy escape. Tonight, we would be celebrating Shana’s 50th birthday with dinner and a play.   

I hadn't planned it down to the Moment.

As I was walking through the performance complex, I returned a call to one of my client's Loved ones. She shared that my client had unexpectedly passed away. I had just exchanged texts with him a few days earlier. I adored this courageous man. 

My heart cracked.

We cried together, and I did a lot of breathing. 

Since I arrived about 30 minutes early to the restaurant, I decided a beer made sense for me in that moment. I sat at the bar to process it and have a little pity party. The gentleman next to me was getting ready to leave. He was extremely friendly and filled with good energy. I thought to myself, “I Love humans.” The next gentleman that sat next to me was also kind. He was a pilot and his wife had passed away a few years ago. We shared good conversation about good humans. 
 
I finished my beer and got up to greet my girlfriends that just came in the door. Mark, the pilot, reached his hand out. I smiled and asked if I could give him a hug. He smiled and said, "Of course." 

My friends always joke with me about all the “strangers” that I hug. I don’t remember when it became comfortable for me to begin to hug strangers. It feels that it has been my normal for most of my life, but that evening I knew I needed it. Death has a way of reminding us of what is important. 

Hugs are important. Human connection is important. 

Today I reread the last text exchange that I had with my client that passed. I could still feel his energy. The Love that came from him always put a smile on my face and sealed a crack. He actively chose to be heart-centered. He had shared that in the past he would go down rabbit holes and would be angry at life. Thankfully, over the years, he realized it didn’t feel good and he began to change his thoughts and surroundings. I still remember the first session with him. He eluded Love! 

Love is important. Human connection is important. 

He truly was an example of what it means to be human. He was smart enough to know that old trauma was still in his body and that is why we were working together regularly. He did his best to focus on the positive. He honored the “contrast” of life and consistently took action to create the life that he desired. We often focused on the accomplishments and there were so many.   

Honoring the good is important. Human connection is important. 

I only intended to dedicate this newsletter to him. However, when I sat down to write, I went back to the moment, and re-experienced the moment, and decided that I wanted to share the human experience. And how beautiful it is.

We must keep living even when life shows up in slow motion as we process our loss.

I found myself shaking my head at him in disappointment because I was not ready for him to move on, but I also found myself taking the time to see the Light in each moment and smile between subtle tears.

Honoring grief is important. Human connection is important. 

Don’t think for a moment that I take what I do for granted. The Love that we share together is what keeps me in the moment with each of you. That energy exchange is LOVE!! As you walk out the door of my office and I tell you I Love you and you say it back to me, trickles of sparkling Light fill my soul.

I cannot begin to express the gratitude that I have for you. I have so many quiet moments with so many of you that will forever be within my Being. 

Moments Matter. Human connection matters.

There is a vivid memory of a client that I had worked with for a few years who never fully fell into a hug exchange with me. Then one day, she fully fell in. And held the hug longer than expected. The thought of this moment still brings tears to my eyes. My job is to hold a very safe space for you and I take that seriously. However, don’t think for a minute that after you leave, there aren’t times that I don’t lose my shit and burst into tears. 

Thank you for sharing your Light. 

Much Love,

Dena