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Lots of people are looking forward to this coming Sunday, February 7.  Why, it’s the Super Bowl, and more importantly, the Denver Broncos will be playing! Kick-off time is 4:30 p.m. mountain time.

Sunday – Boy I can hardly wait until it is here – just a couple of days away.  While I had to look up what time the Broncos play, I can tell you my massage is scheduled for 2 p.m.  It is the one date I have monthly, and I always remember what day and what time it is.

A monthly massage is as important to me as getting their hair colored for many ladies of a certain age.  It is a fixed cost in my budget.  If I had to, I would reduce my grocery budget just to afford a massage.

A cornerstone of my personal healthcare, I thank my good friend Anna Marie who strongly suggested I start getting massages when I divorced over 20 years ago.  A wise, wise woman, she told me how important touch was.  “Massage is a wonderful and safe way to have another person touch you, Elizabeth,” she said.

Now, it seems no matter what I read, the importance of touch is the topic.  The cover of the December/January issue of “The AARP Magazine” promotes a feature article, “The Amazing Power of Touch,” with a description “Heal your pain, lift your mood, skip the meds.” “Wow, I say!”

In Christiane Northrup’s latest book, “Goddesses Never Age,” she has a whole section on the benefits of touch and massage.  The famed doctor even writes, “In fact, I think massage should be a cornerstone of your self-care and wellness program.”  That famous woman took the words right out of my mouth.

These days I look forward to having a massage because it takes away what I call, “old age pains.”  This discomfort is probably caused by arthritis in various places, scoliosis that developed in my 50s, and the wear and tear on body parts that will be 70 years old next year. Yes, yoga, warm showers and baths, and sleep help with these pains, but nothing works like a good massage.

Massage helped me greatly when I was working.  Frankly, I don’t know how I would have survived the stress without a massage, along with vigorous exercise, and daily long walks or runs with my dog.

A number of years ago, plantar fasciitis plagued me for many, many months.  Yes, I had orthotics and even surgery. But, it was massage that finally cured it.

Grief – God I hate it – and do just about everything in my power to avoid it.  This strategy has not been good for me.  Fortunately, massage is one of the few ways I get in touch with grief.  A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog about my sick cat – Trixie Sue.

I told my masseuse that I was an emotional wreak because I knew once I got on her table the tears would start.  I told her I did not know why this was bothering me so much.  I have had pets all my life.  We talked about unresolved grief.  She told me I did not even need to know who or what it was I was obviously grieving about.

Then, she added a real zinger –

My masseuse gently told me I was of that age where loss would be more common and that because I was so healthy, I would probably experience lots of loss.

All I know is that I can hardly wait to get on Rosemary’s table this Sunday. Afterward, I’ll have a good dinner, some wine, a warm bath with bath salts, and then, put on my flannel jammies and hop in bed.

(Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a dam about the Broncos!  But, my 8-year-old grandson Henry adores them He’ll be watching the Super Bowl with his “Pop.”  I’m happy for Henry. Got Broncos!)

Copyright – Elizabeth J. Wheeler, Feb. 2, 2016