It was February 1995. The Friday found me leave a nursing faculty meeting to attend a weekend workshop on Healing Touch energy healing. By the end of the weekend, I felt inspired to become a holistic therapist. But how was I to quit my “day job” for something so unconventional? Upon returning home that Sunday, I asked my husband, Mel, what he thought I should do. His wise counsel was, “Follow your Heart.” So, on Monday, I tendered my resignation from the College! And that’s how this whole adventure called Natural Comfort started.
My aromatherapy business was small but slowly grew into a larger affair. In 2005, with help from family and friends, I started the Natural Comfort Wellness Centre. Going from a one-person aromatherapy business to full-time office staff, a retail store and several consulting holistic therapists was a huge leap – but a very exciting one. I must acknowledge the steady support and expertise that Beverley Hawkins offered in those early years- computer literate, business savvy and so organized! She was there from the beginning to help with setting up and running the Centre. Those of you who were around for those first few years know that we had some very interesting guest speakers, courses and events, a large retail store and a choice of many different therapists offering their health and healing talents. There were some challenges met along the way, but all offered great life and business lessons. As I’ve often said, “It’s all information – how we choose to look at it and use it is always up to us.” And so, after five years at the first location, we began the search for another suitable place to hang our shingle.
As the Universe would have it, our local Hospice was moving from its office space in the Tsawwassen Medical Building to its newly built location in Ladner. In Spring 2010, I signed the lease and began our move. Not only was this location ideal, but we met a most unique person who just happened to be the landlord! You can tell when someone is really there for you. Greg definitely has been there for both me and the Centre through it all. For the first three years, the other therapists and I offered courses, holistic services, practice groups and ran the retail store together at this new location.
Another pivot. In 2013, I decided to downsize and return to private practice. Grateful for their help and understanding, the other therapists helped me to downsize the Centre so I could manage it by myself. I was able to split the space, which also made it easier for me. But who knew that just a few months later, the chiropractors would need a space for their practice, as their location had been destroyed in a devastating fire? And so, it was – Tsawwassen Chiropractic and Natural Comfort became neighbours! And have been ever since.
These past nine years have found me expanding my private practice and improving my holistic offerings. I’ve always hoped to offer a place of Comfort, Peace and Possibilities to everyone who entered the Centre, and for the most part, I think I have achieved this. Although I’m not ready to hang up my therapist hat just yet, I realize that it is time to make another adjustment in how I offer my services.
And so, the newest change begins! Natural Comfort Wellness Centre now becomes Natural Comfort Wellness. Later this month, Natural Comfort Wellness will offer as many services, seminars and meditations as it can using the Zoom on-line platform. Some services will be unavailable as a Zoom offering (haven’t figured out how to do massages through a computer screen!). Some services will be available using Zoom or the phone. Seminars, consultations and meditations are already held on Zoom. All will be offered with the same heart-centered care that has always been the guiding principle at Natural Comfort.
In closing, I am grateful to everyone who has entered the Centre these past 17 years and offered their friendship, expertise, time, stories, tears, laughter, smiles, songs, humour, prayers, healing energy and hugs. I started this healing journey as a nursing student in 1974 and an aromatherapist in 1995. Who knew that 48 years after stepping onto a nursing unit, I’d still love what I do and who I work with? The location is changing – but not the love I have for this work and for my clients and colleagues.
My heartfelt thanks go to the following people who have worked with me at the Centre. You made this a great place to work! Lots of memories – lots of laughs – lots of love!
2005 – 2010:
Office staff: Wendy Marshall, Barbara Bell, Charlene Boswick
Therapists: Beverley Hawkins, Janet Walsh, Cheryl Larden, Judith Schweers, Donna Guillemin,
Ruth Stubens, Shirley Maurice, Doug Markert, Julia McKinley, Kim Jew
2010 – 2013:
Therapists: Beverley Hawkins, Cheryl Larden, Donna Guillemin, Ruth Stubens, Shirley Maurice,
Doug Markert
2013 – 2022: Pat as a solo act at the Centre!
2022 – who knows?: The physical Centre closes and Pat goes virtual with Zoom
And through it all, my husband Mel has been my biggest fan and supporter! Without him, none of this would have been possible. He has believed in me and this work every step of the way. I am forever grateful to him!
Now …. Time to Zoom!