Stories from the Field

Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Gloria Lionz

STORIES FROM THE FIELD…aka: not-so-random signs the Divine “HAS YOUR BACK.”

Tonight, I left my naturopath’s office (Dr. Kate Wiggin) after closing. Today, like most IV sessions, I was there 3+ hours. The goal? Detoxify my body from mold poisoning (which I posted about several months ago). 

Short version: If a building you work or live in has mold, it’s going to take significant work to find, eradicate and heal yourself & the building of it. 

It’s a year+ since my formal diagnosis. Inflammation has decreased 50% and vision problems are gone. But on-going pain, lethargy, high blood pressure, sleep issues, foot pain, weight gain, skin eruptions continue to require medical intervention. 

Regular GPs do NOT treat CIRS. Thankfully, I have alternative docs who do.

That’s the background. But here’s the REASON for today’s post:

I decided I wanted to share my version of STORIES FROM THE FIELD (Life). Such events show up whenever we’re open. YEP! EVERY TIME!

IVs are a bit painful (when the needle gets placed). Once the IV solutions are on drip mode, the patient basically relaxes in a comfy chair, refrains from moving said needle/drip line, and ‘waits.’ 

Dr. Kate has a furry staff member aka: Sugar Bear. She’s usually at the office quietly hanging out during consultations (pretty much like a cute, silent “comfort agent.” To my delight, around hour 3 today Sugar Bear appeared at my door, wagged her tail & flashed me a warm grin. But she DIDN’T STOP THERE. 

Nope, today without her mom’s help lifting her onto my chair, she moved from the door, smiled again and leaped onto my lap. WOW! To what do I deserve this honor??

She snuggled into the indentation between my legs for about half an hour; lightly snoring in total bliss. Later, she hopped off, checked on a few more patients then returned to my lap. When the final IV drip was complete, Dr. Kate removed the line. What did Sugar Bear do? She refused to walk into her mom’s offered arms to get down. INSTEAD she turned around, looked straight into my eyes, and gave me a QUICK DOGGIE KISS! 

THIS IS THE FIRST SUCH EVENT IN MY LIFE! I don’t have a dog nor do my friends. I also wouldn’t go searching for a doggie to kiss me. But in this instance, her spontaneous gift landed spot on – into my tired body & slightly grumpy body.

The story continues. Me & Dr Kate hugged briefly & laughingly said good night. I headed for downtown New Seasons for a few groceries. I’d inadvertently bought a soft (aka not good) watermelon there a few days ago; took a photo (rather than lugging it back to the store). During checkout I showed the checkout clerk the photo & asked if they would just not charge me for the replacement?

“Do you have a receipt?”

“No.”

“That’s a problem. How many times have you DONE THIS? SHOW ME YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE.”

After what felt like a mini-crime investigation, the watermelon left with me & it “unharmed” and “sort-of-free.”

The salesclerk didn’t offer to put my 4 items in a bag. And I was too disheartened to ask him to do it or go through the hassle of paying for it. 

I was too tired to laugh that exchange off. My heart was heavy. I felt as small as a chastised 5-year-old & NOT my usual ‘laugh it off’ confident ADULT self.

What happened next was nothing short of the miracle I now relay.

I opened my car’s back door to unload my purchases, but I was moving like a sleepy sloth. Before I woke from that mode and moved normally, an older fellow (50ish) walked up to me with a BIG SMILE and said, “Hi! Today’s your lucky day! MAY I TAKE YOUR CART FOR YOU?” 

Now, there was NO logical reason for his offer to take my cart.

Monday evenings are SLOW at that store and nearly ALL New Seasons’ carts were neatly lined up in front of BOTH entrances.

WHO WAS THIS MAN & WHERE DID HE COME FROM?

Here’s the best part. He gave NO explanation. I apologized for moving so slowly. 

He laughed and said, “Take your time, I’m in no rush.” 

He added a bit of light banter including “Love that brand of ready-made dinners; that’s one of my favorites.”

“Oh, I haven’t tried it.”

“Trust me, you’ll be glad you did…”

I felt bathed in LOVE in his light-hearted presence. No agenda, NO rush, NOTHING but the fresh air of being seen as ‘FINE,’ encouraged to take my time while being gently complimented for my food choices, THEN a warm farewell… “Have a relaxing night.”

What did he do with my cart?

HE RETURNED IT RIGHT BACK TO THE CARTS AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE STORE!

Then, he walked to his car (2 cars over) and drove away smiling!

NOTE: We’re all carriers of the Light. We’re all MASTERS-IN-TRAINING. All it takes to change another’s life is a little kindness, perhaps a sprinkle of compassion, and the removal of a cart (anyone’s load they’re too tired to carry or cope with).

There you have it. My joyful, grateful “STORY FROM THE FIELD.”

PS: Consider being like the fellow who took maybe all of 5 minutes to notice and help someone. And during those minutes, simply notice & communicate they’re fine, they’re more than enough, just because.    

PPS: Shout out to Dr. Kate Wiggin and her staff (INCLUDING tiny Sugar Bear)!

____________________

Gloria Lionz has been a life coach for four plus decades. She’s also a life-long poet and storyteller. Her training in personal growth began in her early 20’s. With certificates in Reiki, Ho’oponopono, and training with Caroline Myss, the works of Alamaia Will, Lynn Andrews, and Dr. Christiane Northrop. She facilitates group and individual coaching and is also an event planner.  

She is an enthusiastic gardener, an essential oil instructor, and volunteers at her local cat shelter helping cats learn to trust and recover from neglect and/or abuse. She’s committed to living a life of “love in action”—sharing her passion for helping others notice and accept they’re here to love and be loved.

Gloria can be contacted through her email: [email protected]