The holiday season is a great time for reflection about the things that really matter in life. The love of family, friends and all of the non-material things of life really come into focus when we do this. Yet it was a material object that brought this subject to mind yesterday when I was speaking with a friend. She had just come off the adjusting table when she noticed and commented about the beautiful stained glass item that hangs in the front window of the office.
I’ve always felt a little embarrassed about that piece of artwork because it has my own name spelled out in the colored glass. But, as radio personality Paul Harvey used to say, “Let me tell you the rest of the story:” A few years back, when I was practicing in Iowa, a young woman sought care with us after going through a frustrating series of events involving an injury. I distinctly remember how her eyes filled with tears and her face dropped as she recounted all of the disappointments she encountered while trying to get help from a string of medical doctors. To keep her identity confidential, we’ll call her, “Jacqueline.”
Jacqueline had been involved in an automobile accident. She took quite a jolt receiving numerous injuries and those to both of her arms and wrists were especially debilitating. After many months of treatment she was still having great difficulty. She tried to return to work but her job required her to spend long hours at a computer keyboard, which became impossible due to severe pain in the wrists and arms, accompanied by pounding headaches. Lots of medications, physical therapy and several physicians all failed to help and she found herself to be essentially disabled and feeling hopeless. That’s when a friend told her that she should consult our office. We performed a spinal analysis revealing a nasty neck problem called, ‘upper cervical subluxation.’ It was an out of position vertebra choking off nerve supply to her arms (and no doubt to other body parts as well). After receiving a precise adjustment Jacqueline had a dramatic improvement and began, as she put it, “To get her life back.”
stained glass
During that time period she had been studying the art of making stained glass and her husband put a workshop together for her on their property. Over the next month or two, she and our office manager, Louise secretly discussed a project that she wished to make for me to show her appreciation for her chiropractic care. Then one day Jacqueline showed up at the office for her scheduled visit with a large wrapped up package in her arms. It contained the stained glass, which to my great surprise, she presented to me as a gift. With tears in my eyes I accepted her gift of appreciation and I must admit that every time I look at it I think of her and Louise and their great conspiracy ending in a delightful surprise. During this holiday season many of our practice members have shown up with unexpected treats and other special little gifties. To say I appreciate it really doesn’t quite say enough. In fact, I get that same nice feeling inside as when Jacqueline presented her work of art. It’s one of those great blessings that we get in chiropractic practice, so thank you for all those acts of kindness. Now you know the rest of the story…