I'll never forget her voice:

"Jennifer, there is magic in your hands!"

Spoken by my oldest most beautiful client ever, Betty's words still linger soul deep.

I met Betty when she was 98 years of spunk, love, and wisdom. The photo below, from 2015, shows her a week after her 99th birthday! My hair was more pepper than salt and Betty could feel herself "slowing down," but oh did we have fun together!

Betty was a life-long educator, one who followed the path from classroom teacher to school administrator while being a committed spouse and mother. From her tales, I gather she touched many, many lives.

On the day her daughter took our portrait (and yes, the family gave me their blessing to share our photo and story with the world), Betty wasn't up for her normal massage session.

Instead, she asked if I would just rub her hands and feet.

As I laid a palm atop her wrinkled, arthritic knuckles, Betty's body sank into her recliner, her eyelids grew heavy, and her breath grew lusciously deep. A smile caressed her mouth, arcing the corners of her lips skyward.

My gentlest touch was having a profound effect on her nervous system, easing the aches and pains of a life well lived, if only for a few minutes.

There was no over-efforting on my part, just me doing what I do best: connecting, working from my heart, and meeting my client's needs in that moment.

I can't remember for certain, but this may have been the last time I saw Betty. She moved briefly to an assisted living facility and passed away before her 100th birthday.

Hearing she had died gutted me. Reflecting on our time together all these years later trickles salty tears down my cheeks.

Betty was a gem. Every time I left her apartment, she'd remind me to "be kind and be safe," sentiments I have kept alive with my own children as they leave for their days away from home.

She also gave me one of my life's greatest lessons, paraphrased here:

"Even when you feel worthless, tired, or invisible, your gentle actions can have an impact. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated. To make the world a more hopeful and beautiful place, you need only to share your unique brand of magic."

I'd love to hear from you!

• Is there a Betty in your life who points out your one-of-a-kind gifts?

• How might you share your brand of magic with the world today?

With love,

Jennifer (she/her)

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