Relax Boulder

The Death of a Friend, the Birth of an Angel

by Rebecca Little on 07/19/10

Today a good friend and client of mine, Deandra Trevino, lost a long, hard fought battle with Ovarian Cancer.

I met Deandra in her Boulder hair salon, West End Salon, about 2 years ago. I had experienced the classic "bad hair nightmare" from a cocky, new stylist in her salon and without any complaint on my part, Deandra called me the next day, told me she fired the stylist and offered to make things right. I had never even met the woman and she was so caring and thoughtful. An expert in customer service. I went in the next week and was blessed with a new friendship.

I had just read an article on this young, beautiful, savy businesswoman in the Daily Camera, and it told of her recent diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer at age 27. She was experiencing ongoing chemotherapy treatments and after a year or more, was beating the odds. You would have never guessed this hardworking, adorable, sassy, positive-attitude hair dresser and business owner was fighting for her life behind it all. Because of her generosity and thoughtfulness, I came to my appointment armed with a massage gift certificate and a nice tip. We hit it off immediately and I asked her if she liked, and could have massage? She was delighted and said her doctors highly recommended it. We scheduled her appointment for the next week.....and for two week intervals for over a year. We had a wonderful trade going....she whipped my hair back into shape after disaster and I had the beautiful experience of giving back to her in a way that will forever impact my life. They were probably the most meaningful massage sessions I have ever experienced. To have the opportunity to give someone unconditional love, relief and nurturing care, who on a regular basis was poked and prodded with needles and devices and subjected to invasive surgeries and treatments, was a true honor. In the months we worked together, for so long her external body never showed the signs of what was going on inside. She was young, beautiful and strong.....and not much older than my own daughter who I thought of every time we were together. How could this be happening?

I was able to witness the highs and lows and her constant ability to overcome obstacles. Most of the time we were together the cancer was under control and even improving.

Unfortunately, the last massage session I was able to give Deandra was just after New Years 2010. She was feeling better after a rough spell over the holidays but got to go to New York with her husband of 8 months to ring in the New Year. She was so happy. I was scheduled to leave the country for Australia at the end of January for 3 months and felt so much better leaving, seeing her this way. She was my only regret of being away from Boulder so long. When I was away and sick with a respiratory infection myself, I was so encouraged by a personal email and Carepages Update I had read from Deandra regarding a positive upswing in her health, that I quit my complaining and got better! She was constantly inspiring me. A true beacon of light and strength.

Unfortunately, upon my return to the states in late April, Deandra's heath had taken a turn for the worst. We were never able to make the massages we attempted to schedule due to her failing health and busy schedule opening a new hair salon (she never gave up!). In her final days and weeks, I have no doubt Deandra was surrounded by a force of love so powerful from friends and family. She was loved deeply and had such a positive affect on the lives of many. She will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to her husband, mother, father, and siblings. Thank you for sharing your beautiful angel with the rest of us. She will never be forgotten and has taught me to live every moment of life to its fullest. May you rest in peace, Deandra. I love you.

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Get Outside!

by Rebecca Little on 06/07/10

I can still hear my mother saying "get outside" to my sisters and I, and probably some of the best advice she could have ever given us. I am sure that is why I am such an outdoorsy gal. We are so blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world I hope all of you will take at least 30 minutes of your day (more if possible) to be outdoors. Leave the ipod at home and soak up the sounds of nature, listen to your own thoughts, smell the smells of summer, let your eyes take in the beauty of the mountains, taste anything grown locally, and everytime you are rubbing on that sunscreen or oil....touch yourself and be grateful you are here right now. Feel the world around you. Have a great week and "get outside".

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Stress and Aging

by Rebecca Little on 05/16/10

Good Sunday Morning,
I noticed an article in the news today that confirmed my long held belief that stress causes premature aging. I decided to find just a couple of websites (and there are many) confirming this belief to pass on to you:
http://www.lovinghealinghands.com/9/27/Stress_and_Aging.html
http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/stressaging
Please everyone...take a look at your lives and try to remove the toxic, stressful elements of it. Sometimes this is easier said than done. Which is where the importance of massage comes in. Stress can be a fact of life. Especially if your job requires a certain amount of stress. Family life can be stressful. Neither of which you can just "quit" tomorrow. Instead schedule a massage now and then. Massage forces (in a delightful way) you to take that time to chill-out and relax. For 1-2 hours you do nothing but lay on a comfortable table in a peaceful, tranquil environment and let someone else flush the stress from you body. The para-sympathetic nervous system takes over and your body begins the renewal process.
Start reversing the aging process today....book a massage!

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Just a thought...

by Rebecca Little on 05/11/10

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest accomplishment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." -Leo Buscaglia

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Dreaming of Breakfast

by Rebecca Little on 05/06/10

When I was at the Ayurvedic retreat in Bali, they prescribed that I eat a lighter, earlier dinner....which is difficult for someone who used to own a dinner house restaurant and has raised a family on the pretense that dinner is the most important meal.....but I have tried changing my ways, and it is actually working to my benefit. I sleep better, digest better, and I am hungry in the morning! I used to often skip breakfast but now I am excited for it and it really does set me up for a better day. Here is my latest obsession for breakfast, because mango's are in season...Really healthy, really tasty, really warm, and really easy!

Steel Cut Oats prepared with water and a spash of apple juice if you have it

the oats take awhile...but just before they are finished I have been adding some fresh mango chunks, banana slices, and some shredded coconut (the unsweetened kind). With a little milk and honey if needed, you have a tropical treat. I skip dessert and dream about the next morning's breakfast....Yum.

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Spring Rejuvenation Special

by Rebecca Little on 05/03/10

After receiving a great massage on Friday and giving some sessions this weekend, I was inspired hiking up Mt. Sanitas to run a "Spring Rejuvenation" special. As many of you know, I have been in Australia with a stop in Bali for the past 3 months. Having suffered a respiratory infection (maybe it was SARS!) early on in the trip and working with my daughter in a chilly air-conditioned office every day, I was not in top form. Even massage wasn't sounding good during that time, so I knew it was a desperate situation! When I finally was feeling up for a massage and started giving massage again to clients in Australia, every thing about my life improved. I went to Bali and took a massage course along with spending some time at an Ayurvedic health retreat and received a lot of interesting body work and massage. I came home to Colorado totally rejuvenated and really wanting to take care of myself. A great feeling to have and a great way to start this fun time of year. So get out of the winter doldrums and book a massage today. Your body will love you for it!

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Let's clear up the name thing...

by Rebecca Little on 05/02/10

Just for clarity, my given name is Rebecca Ann. 1/2 of the people in the universe call me "Becky". The other 1/2 call me "Rebecca". And there are other variations. Bec, Beccs, Rebequita, Beckster. I kind of like the versitality of my name and will always answer to both. I honestly have no preference, which adds to the confusion and why I am telling you this. Pick what you like...or come up with your own variation...it may become my favorite!

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Local Massage Therapist becomes Tech Geek

by Rebecca Little on 04/29/10

Hi friends,

This entry is to test out my new blog and to prove that, yes, even non-tech people can build websites and create blogs! It wasn't even very stressful....good tech support is the key, along with a good massage therapist (: So, lets toast to a new, fun, blog with lot's of good ideas related to massage, self-care, beauty, travel, nature, food, health, and anything that relates to a wonderful, balanced, rich life. Cheers!

Love and Light,

Rebecca

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