In the vicinity of 40 years ago I was invited to photograph the wedding of Kelsy Hartley’s parents at the United Methodist Church in Boothbay Harbor. It was a packed church. Gregg was working for Eliot Winslow on the tugs and Kathy, I believe, was just at the beginnings of what would be one of our most wonderful experiences at Boothbay Region Elementary School.

Our daughter Morgan had the great good fortune of two school years with Kathy as classrooms were multi-age. Morgan went from one year to the next and never changed her home base with Kathy. We will always be grateful.

At the beginning of the wedding ceremony, good photo do-bee Mitchell had assumed his position in the center aisle as the bride and groom and pup “Alex” made their way to the front of the church where the ceremony would take place. In the middle of their procession, as I was totally focused (pun intended) and backing down the aisle, I felt a tug on my sleeve. Who on Earth would think to bother me in the midst of such an important event?

A quiet but familiar voice whispered, “Don’t you think you should remove your lens cap?”

It was Eliot Winslow. I was using a new to me, used rangefinder camera called a Mamiya Universal Press which, for the uninitiated, is an instrument with a viewfinder that is separate from the “taking lens.” In other words, what I saw through the viewfinder was linked to the lens but not actually what recorded an image. This was back in the film days, obviously, when there were no second chances or endless memory cards.

I freaked! And I was forever reminded by Captain Winslow of my oversight!

I have had many pulls and tugs over my many years. Acupunctured, massaged, injected, anesthetized, concussed, psychoanalyzed, mesmerized, hypnotized, and revitalized! But I’ve had no experience with cranialsacral therapy. Kelsy Hartley is well along on her path to becoming a certified practitioner and I got to experience the process firsthand.

Kelsy, as many know, is an accomplished artist. She also managed her father’s marine business after his death. Not entirely compatible experiences. After many years of a lot of stuff, Kelsy is settling into a more “passive” realignment. No tugging or pulling here, just some very interesting, almost meditative, energy adjustments. The process of the cranialsacral technique employs gentle non-invasive touch, or holds, which are meant to provide information and support for releasing blockages that may be an impediment to the body’s healthy functioning.

Kelsy is in the final stages of a two-year program for certification. She must “log” required sessions as a student much the same as an apprentice craftsperson needs to acquire time on jobs learning. Her anticipated certification will come sometime in May after she has met all requirements. It’s a journey and it’s been transformative. I believe Kelsy was ready. I think she is finding personal growth while in the process of helping others.

Kelsy has given me permission to mention a means of contact. She may be reached via email at bodiesofwaterbcst@gmail.com to arrange a visit. Might be worth exploring.