Counselling Day

 My personal counsellor is an eighty year old Irish Woman. She dresses in mountains of shawls, all pinned together at her shoulder by a large Scottish broach. She has dyed black hair which suits her and she uses her direct, compassionate stare to lethal effect when she needs to.

We meet regularly in a little market town in rural North Wales

For weeks she has walked beside me as I’ve analysed patterns of behaviour and emotion and has sat there all accepting  and empathetic when I’ve shared things no one else will ever know, or ever know on this earth.

To me she is a kind of Yoda crossed by Guinan and Ordinary People’s Dr Berger 
A quiet soul who has seen it all.
This was our last consultation until January and darkness had already fallen as we sat there .

After we ended today she held out a thin arm and we shook hands, her grip surprisingly strong
“ Happy Christmas” she said with feeling 

Her spectacles shining in the lights of her period Christmas tree, 
Which Sat cheerfully in the corner of her consulting room .


49 comments:

  1. She sounds exactly who you needed, course or no.

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  2. She sounds right out of central casting. So glad she’s yours.

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  3. A wise woman. Yes, she feels like a good person to guide you

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    1. I wonder if a male counsellor would have been more therepeutic but the more I trust her the more benefit I feel

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    2. I see your point..but having had counselling myself a long time ago, the woman concerned just didn't get how I felt...but the man did. Perhaps it was just the right person, whichever

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  4. A wise, old woman, the very best kind. I'm glad you found her.

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    1. Anonymous8:07 pm

      Auntie Gladys and transference John ?

      Leex

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    2. Anonymous8:40 pm

      Everyone needs a wise Irishwoman in their life or so my friends say !!! 😜x Bernie

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    3. Known transference Lee

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  5. Thank you for sharing that gentle scene.

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  6. Oh, I want to sit down with her and TALK!

    XOXO

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  7. Barbara Anne8:05 pm

    What a wonderful person for you to learn from, wise because of her years and attention to observations, patience because she sees that everyone is trying hard, and kind beyond measure. She is certainly a gift in your new professional life and you, no doubt, are a gift in hers.
    Happy Christmas, John.

    Hugs!

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    Replies
    1. I am fortunate because my supervisor is good too but in a tough way

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  8. She sounds like the perfect counsellor. Like a wise, kind grandmother, who lets you find your own answers without judging. We all need someone like that in our lives. xx

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  9. If we are lucky, we can see the reason we have met the people we have met...and it sounds like you were meant to meet this woman.

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    1. She’s reminded me that despite flaws
      I’ve come along way

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  10. The sort of person we all wish we could be.

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  11. Anonymous9:19 pm

    A little bit of Christmas whimsy John???
    Sweet

    Keith
    Xx

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  12. I feel I was there with you with your description...one of your many gifts!

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  13. Wonderful writing, John.

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  14. Replies
    1. She kind of picked me and our therapeutic relationship is a strong one I’m lucky

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  15. Yorkshire Liz10:33 pm

    Sounds the perfect meeting of both minds and psyches. Wonderful and rare. Uplifting and inspiring.

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    1. People say counselling is a journey
      I say it’s more a walk, a walk alongside someone who Is sharing and understanding your thoughts and growth

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  16. Beautifully and vividly written!

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  17. Anonymous12:00 am

    Lovely, just lovely John. Pulled up some wee tears. You have a gift for telling your story. X

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    1. Anonymous2:58 am

      Damn blogger! This was Camille.

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  18. Her guidance seems to really suit you. You are well matched. Your description shows she is a woman of many years of life experiences with great insight.
    I would not mind a chat with her.

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  19. She sounds like the ideal counsellor; you're lucky.

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  20. MarisAna5:54 am

    Your description matches very much someone I used to know years ago. She sounds like a good person to chat to on a long walk.

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  21. I love this. Happy Christmas, John.

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  22. Anonymous11:29 am

    Nice that you feel so comfortable sharing your deep dark secrets with this wonderful councillor. I hope you become that kind of leader too. You are a lucky man to have found her. Gigi

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  23. Mentoring you for the future of good works.

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  24. Anonymous3:18 pm

    Wow! You shook hands with your counsellor! Wow!

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    1. Anonymous6:28 pm

      As in "BIG NEWS" Shook hands wth counsellor, wow!

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    2. And why is that important for you to highlight ?

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  25. I am not sure why but this made me cry.

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