My client, my teacher
One of my clients, who I have been working with for about 8 years, twice a week, has cancer. She has undergone two surgeries and numerous chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. I have witnessed her journey up close. Yesterday in our session she told me she wanted to give me my birthday gift. I told her my birthday was on Sunday but she said she didn't want to wait. She told me her cancer has returned and that she is going to refuse treatment. She said she doesn't want to put her body through that again. She told me that time was precious and she wanted me to have the gift now!
I opened the box, filled with gauze, tissue paper, ribbons, confetti, and so much color. My hands found a book that she wrote about me, about all the teachings that have moved her from our yoga classes, even some excerpts from my blog. She always believed in my writing and wanted to publish my first book.
"So here it is, Maria! Your first book! I made ten copies!"
We were on the same room that we always meet, the office in the back of her Beverly Hills home. We were standing on tops of the yoga mats that have witnessed our lives evolve in the last 8 years. All around the room where pictures of her, her grandchildren, her friends, there were even some pictures of me doing yoga in Egypt. Sunlight was streaming in, even though it was a chilly day. One of the ribbons was caught in my hands and my fingers kept twirling it- I didn't want the celebration to end. Underneath my other hand was a birthday card that she had written to me with the heading "To my daughter." I felt so lucky to have met this woman, a stranger 8 years ago and now someone who called me her daughter. I felt so happy to be so loved. So blessed to be alive. So grateful for this yoga that allows me to meet such amazing souls. But I knew what was coming.
"I don't know how long I have to live Maria. But I want my life, however long I have left to be about giving."
We hugged and I realized that I have nothing to teach her. That she has always been and is my teacher. That all I can do is witness and learn from her. Watch as she shows me how to move through life opening to grace.
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