The Phoenix

Last week I was finally able to share a gift card that I had received two years ago for my installation. The card was for a wonderful spa, The Phoenix, in downtown Philadelphia. When I received it I had hoped to share it with Tina, a friend of The Welcome Church who had been going through radiation and chemotherapy for the lung cancer that eventually took her life. Though Tina never did have enough strength for us to keep our spa date before she died, she would often refer to it and smile. After Tina died last year, I put away the card, not ready to go to the spa alone.

Two months ago I came across that card while sorting through some bills. I wasn't even sure it would still be honored. I mentioned it to several of the women from The Welcome Church who agreed to a spa trip together. It took awhile, but last Friday five of us gathered for our trip to The Phoenix.

We met at 18th and Walnut, outside of the Barnes and Noble jokingly referred to as "my office."
I had made appointments for three of the women and a fourth showed up unexpectedly, willing to just wait with us if necessary. Knowing the challenges these women faced in their daily struggle for survival, I was honored that these four strong and beautiful women made such an effort to meet on time at our designated spot. I also knew that I would have included anyone who showed up, even if it meant taking out another mortgage on my house. The trust that these women showed me was priceless.

Walking the few blocks over to the spa, the experience was a cross between a school outing and an adventure on unexplored territory. For me, this was especially unexplored territory since I had never been to a spa. In fact, it was hard for me to justify a thirty minute facial that would cost $75.00, even if I was using a gift card. I didn't know how the women would react if they knew the prices involved; in addition, I didn't know how our little group would be received by the workers in the spa.

On the way over one of the women asked if she could have a pedicure instead of a facial. I was hoping the spa would let us switch because the difference in price allowed for our fourth woman to have a manicure.

The woman who asked for the switch was walking with difficulty. She was wearing boots that were not necessarily the best fit. What struck me, though, was when she told me that part of the problem was that she didn't get to take off her boots. When you slept outside, your shoes or boots sometimes stayed on all night. In some places, taking off her boots might have meant that she would wake up to find them stolen. She walked gingerly, like a child playing dress-up in her mother's high heels.

The folks at The Phoenix were gracious; not only could we make the switch from one facial to a pedicure, but they were able to do the manicure, too. Two facials, a pedicure, and a manicure,and everybody was happy. While we waited for each to be done, we shared stories, played with samples of make-up, and sipped coffee and tea. Afterwards, we shared a very late lunch and more conversation and laughter.

As I headed towards the train station thoughts of the women lingered with me like a fine perfume. They were smart and resourceful and had not been born homeless. Some were dealing with serious illnesses; others with difficult family situations. At least one with an addiction. But for several hours on Friday, we were just five women, enjoying the pampering and simply being together.

I think of The Phoenix rising out of the ashes and the resilience and courage that surrounded me in these women and I am so grateful for the gift of themselves that they shared with me last Friday in the spa.