George’s Leaving
In my work, I become a lover.
Understand people better than their own parents do,
know them in ways their lovers and children long for,
learn their sighs, their movements,
discover what
their facial lines reveal.
I love them better
than they love themselves….
Coming as envoy to the iinterior land,
I chart the features,
map the vastness,
near the enormous, red, wet heart.
The work is privileged.
I’ve lived more lifetimes now than I deserve
and know the anatomy of inner space
like my own two hands.
Across from me could be by my
lover….mother….daughter,
A perfect counterpart,
unfulfilled potential.
My unconscious rises.
I need to be impeccable.
I am not!
Today my heart hurts.
Tired of being a professional,
a perpetual lover
sickened by change
I take to my bed.
Every leaving
tells me I am alone.
How can I say goodbye
over
and over
and over
yet stay open to the unknown face,
the voice on the phone?
George looks at me sideways,
goodbye tears running down.
“I felt cradled here,” he says.
“thank you for urging me to see my Dad
when he was dying.”
George, please don’t thank me.
For you it’s grace.
I know.
The work’s complete and
healing satisfies.
He says goodbye.
He goes.
I feel the loss of him all night.
This lovely poem by Mary Ellen Mctamaney captures the preciousness of the journey of psychotherapy. It’s my calling and the great privilege of my life. I have indeed lived many lifetimes through my work with all kinds of couples, individuals and groups.
I’ve been privileged to help 21 years of couples restore the passion and sexual joy that creates the emotional glue of a long-term relationship and stable family. I’ve been a source of support through recovery from grief and from addiction. It’s been a joy to be a trusted guide for men and women facing depression, anxiety and mortality. Some seek new strategies that they can learn in a few months of strategically focused sessions. Others come for years, seeking healing of deep wounds with decades of history. I treasure them all. Each has in some way been my teacher, as I have been theirs.
“How can I make a difference?” is one of the most important questions in life. I’d like to make this post an invitation to anyone who knows about therapy from the inside. Please share your experiences.
Blessings, dear visitor. Please respond by posting here or email your response to drvlee1234@aol.com.
