Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – April 11, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – April 11, 2004

More Than Just A Pedicure

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – April 11, 2004 – If you’re ever looking for an inexpensive, relaxing way to treat yourself, call your local spa or nail salon and book a pedicure. I didn’t have my first professional pedicure until I was in my forties. I’d always done a great job of painting my toenails myself.

I really only bothered in the summer when mini-skirts, summer dresses, shorts, sandals and open-toed shoes were everyday choices. Having a manicure was an acceptable treat and I did so frequently, but a pedicure seemed like an extravagance.

Now that I’m among the happily converted, I have a pedicure every couple of months. In between I have the polish colour changed on my tootsies every two or three weeks when I have a manicure. Yesterday was pedicure day and I was ready to be pampered. I slipped into the pedicure chair – a huge black affair, reminiscent of a barber’s chair, but with a deep basin attached at the front.

Kelly flipped a switch and the chair began to vibrate softly. The back was tilted back at a relaxing angle. I sank down into this seat of unspeakable comfort and sighed as I dipped first one foot, and then the other into the steaming, soapy water. Pulsating gushes of hot water circled around my feet. I was blissful. I sat there for a few minutes as my body eased into total relaxation, and then Kelly lifted first one foot and then the other out onto the ledge to remove my old nail polish. Then both feet were dipped back into the water for more whirlpool massage.

She alternated feet as she progressed through a massage of my arches to nail trimming and removal of the hardened skin around my heels and on the souls of my feet. She finished with a wonderful oil massage of my toes, ankles and calves. An application of a wonderful red polish finished my indulgence. My toenails were neat and trimmed, my skin pink and warm and my feet were as soft as a baby’s skin.

This foray into uber self-care lasted for forty-five minutes and cost me twenty-five dollars. A bargain. In the midst of a busy day, I often forget the many small ways that I can be kind to myself. These small luxuries are not extravagant expenditures available only to the rich and famous. A manicure, pedicure, facial, partial or full-body massage or warm body wrap are all reasonable treats that most of us can afford from time to time.

As I get older, I realize that treating my body, my mind and my soul with great care go hand in hand. There is no better way to do this than to start with a top to stern pampering of my physical being. When I feel my body being nurtured, it’s not a great leap to spend some time weeding negative thoughts out of my mind and then letting the innate beauty in my soul surface for air.

So go with a friend or go alone but you deserve to be spoiled for an afternoon. Be willing to try it, if you haven’t already, and you will wonder why it took you so long!