My Reiki journey began in 2002 after a debilitating injury the previous year.  Opting not to have a risky surgery, my search began for alternatives and I found relief through Reiki.  A few years later …some welcome physical and spiritual therapy arrived in the form of my first grandchild – Lorelei.

With permission, I welcomed her into the world with Reiki.  As she grew, she was helped through many teething woes, small illnesses, and some cranky times with Reiki.  My son at times would complain that I was “cheating” as she would calm, quiet and then softly sigh in my arms.  I just called it spreading more love and comfort.  As Lorelei grew and began to talk, she would come running to me from a spill and want her boo-boo “fixed” with “magic hands” as we came to call Reiki.  Tears would soon cease and I’d get an “ok Grammy” and off she would go.  I began to introduce her to Reiki through words and actions that she could understand. I showed her that it wasn’t only for boo-boos that we have. 

We’ve always spent a lot of time outdoors in nature with our grandchildren - in our yard, in the woods that surround our home or in our little stream and this is where some Reiki lessons were shared.  We had a very old pine tree that looked rather sick down near our stream.  Lorelei and I took on the task of giving that tree some “magic hands” from time to time. We would stop and give that tree some Reiki whenever we were outdoors on a hike to the stream or just out walking in the yard looking for fairies beneath mushrooms.  We would spend a few minutes laying our hands on the tree and standing in silence until her little four year old mind decided it was time to move on to some other wonder that awaited us in nature.  That tree no longer stands, but I have no doubt that her little hands helped to give it some peace during its final years.

Lorelei is now six and continues to be amazed by the wonder-filled world that surrounds her – especially the boundless possibilities.  She’s become empathetic and can see when another human is suffering. One day she wanted me to play with her and it was a time when my back and neck were acting up a bit.  I reluctantly told her, as we sat on the living room floor in front of the fire that Grammy’s back was hurting and I wouldn’t be able to do what she wanted and suggested that we read a book instead.  She picked out a special book and while I was reading she got up and stood behind me and proceeded to place her “magic hands” on my back.  After a few minutes she said, “There Grammy, does that feel better now?”   …and, yes it did – surrounded by all that healing love and energy, how could it not.

Children love to learn and are often able to understand much more than we think. Don’t hesitate to pass your treasures and seeds of knowledge on to them, gently guiding them to take care of each other and our planet.  My Reiki legacy will continue with Lorelei and my grandsons Aydan and Lucas and from there who knows; but hopefully the seed will keep finding new soil within which to grow, blossom and drop new seeds.

Joan M. Frederick is a Usui Reiki Master/Teacher who has been practicing since 2002.  She is located just outside of Tribes Hill, NY surrounded by a “peace” of nature.  For information on Reiki classes or individual Reiki sessions, please visit her website at ProvidenceReiki.com or contact her at (518) 829-7400 or email Providence4you@msn.com.