Four years ago my daughters bought me the most amazing present–and I decided right then I wanted it for every birthday, holiday, and mother’s day thereafter. . .

It was a gift certificate to a local spa for a complete facial and mini-massage. Melissa rode with me to the spa. “You’ll need me, mom,” she said.

I played along. What a cool day. A facial and a day with Melissa!

I had never had any type of massage nor a facial, and one hour later I stumbled out the door, weak in the knees, relaxed to the core, and so mellow I climbed in the car and closed my eyes. I felt drunk.

“See, mom. I told you that you would need me,” she said, laughing.

All the pressures of my life had slipped away as the expert gently steamed, massaged, and worked on muscles I didn’t even realize that I had–especially in my neck and shoulders. When she gave me a head massage, I almost swooned. : )

Tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 48.

Every birthday is a triumphant achievement, a “see-ya-didn’t-get-me” to the aggressive cancer that emerged in my body nearly 16 years ago (on September 12, 1991), a time to take one more look at my “babies”, now adults, who were 8, 8, and 9 then, and to wrap myself in Richard’s arms one more time and dance to Fleetwood Mac.

I will open cards. Secretly I will wonder, Did they pool their money and buy mom a facial or massage? I’ll love anything that I find within those cards, especially the “I love you mom’s” scripted inside.

I’m easy to please because birthdays rock, no matter what. But if I find the sweet spa gift certificate inside signed by all three of my kids and my two SIL’s, I’ll act surprised, and they’ll say “but mom, we get you this every time”, and then I’ll do a dance as I pick up the phone to make the appointment.

I sit at a desk all day in my home office, and my wrist hurts from hours of typing on a keyboard. I’ve been mowing our 10 acres non-stop because our house is for sale. Right now I have a long scratch across my arm and chest where a tree limb tried to pistol whip me when I drove underneath with the tractor.

We found out a couple of days ago that our house sold (Yipee! It’s been on the market for nine months), and now I’m trying to figure out how we are going to find a home, pack a home, and move while I stay on top of my deadlines and speak out of state three times. And I plan to deep clean so that this beautiful single mom and son who are buying our home can move in with ease. (Another awesome story for another day.)

Whether I get a spa day or not, I’m reading a really great little book right now called Spa for the Soul by Lucinda Secrest McDowell.

I read a chapter every morning, and at the end of each chapter she gives a spa for the soul exercise: scripture, a gentle reminder to exfoliate (cleanse), let God’s mercy and love touch your life (massage), and more.

She also gives a few tips on how to pamper yourself. So, put down your pen. Take off your glasses. And let’s do this together:

From Spa for the Soul by Lucinda Secrest McDowell, page 45-46:

Give yourself a head message. This is ideal for getting rid of headaches brought on by stress, noise, fluorescent lights, and long periods seated at the computer screen. Wash your face first and remember to breathe deeply and slowly through your mouth as you massage.

1. Place your middle fingers parallel to your eyes and just above your cheekbones. Using firm but gentle circular motions, massage for one minute.

2. Move your thumbs along the underside of your eyebrows–along the bone at the top of your eye socket. Feel where this bone meets the bridge of your nose and close your eyes. Feel for a point where there is a small indention and with very gentle pressure press your thumbs into the points. Hold for 10 seconds; release and repeat three times.

3. Move the middle fingers of your hands to the back of your head and feel at the base of your skull for the point where the top of your neck meets your skull. Using gentle circular movements, massage this area with your fingertips for one moment.

4. Now place the palms of your hands on the top of your skull and gently massage your scalp for one minute. When you’ve finished take a few deep breaths. Lift your shoulders toward your ears, hold them there for five to ten seconds, and then let them drop to their normal position.

Suzie again: Have you read Allison’s new book, One Little Secret. A spa day, a facial, and a novel? That’s simply too good to be true.

Have a wonderful day, friends.

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