The Greatest Gift (2020)

I just completed a ten-year acupuncture mentorship with a man who knew nothing about acupuncture—yet taught me everything about life. My heart aches today, but my soul is overflowing with gratitude for the experience. Let me tell you our story.

He Believed in Me

Back in 2010, he came to my clinic for the first time, hoping I could help with chronic shoulder pain. He was 83. I was fresh out of college.

Neither of us really knew what to expect. But he was willing—and so was I.

Little did either of us know we’d meet together 130 times over the next decade.

He came for pain relief. He stayed for wellness.

Once his shoulder pain resolved, he discovered that acupuncture helped him feel better everywhere–body, mind and spirit. And so, month after month, he kept coming back. He became one of my favorite wellness patients–stead, loyal, and always ready to share a story or a laugh. 

I Learned a Geriatric Specialty

As the years went on, I treated him for all the things that come with the privilege of growing older.

He had his ups and downs—some tough seasons, some beautiful ones—but he never gave up.

If here were still here, he would tell you he had three secrets to a good, long life:

• He ate sensibly.

• He moved his body for 20 minutes every day.

• He made acupuncture part of his regular health routine.

Simple. Consistent. Powerful.

His life is still one of my favorite case studies in graceful aging!

I’m Going to Miss This Guy

When his wife called to tell me he had passed, she said,

“You know, he loved coming for acupuncture. Every month he was so excited—it was like he was going to a party.”

She thanked me for taking care of him all those years.

But truthfully, he took care of me, too.

He must have told me—and everyone else—at least 100 times that the secret to his longevity was monthly acupuncture.

But the real secret?

He showed up for life—with faith, humor, and heart.

The Greater Gift

The greater gift was mine.

I’m filled with gratitude for this beautiful journey and for the wisdom he shared about pain, courage, prayer, humor, and love.

If you’re ever blessed with the opportunity to spend 130 hours of your career mentoring with a geriatric patient, take it!

You’ll learn more about healing—and about yourself—than you ever imagined.

The end will be bittersweet. You’ll cry. Your heart will ache when it’s over.

But the lessons?

They’ll stay with you forever.

Godspeed, my friend.

Thank you for the journey.

Life is full of transitions—some smooth, others downright messy. If you’re feeling stuck, weighed down by emotions, or struggling with physical pain, we’re here to help you find your balance again. Every season of life brings change, and when your acupuncture pathways are in harmony, life just feels better.

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