Lessons from a Warrior: My Reiki Journey

I had always been curious about Reiki, but I’d never tried it. A few weeks before my tubal reversal surgery, I decided to get a massage to ease some tailbone pain. Since I knew I’d be resting for a few weeks afterward, it seemed like the perfect time.

I went online and found a nearby massage establishment. One of the practitioners, Marielle Angell, offered both massage and Reiki. I booked an hour massage and added 30 minutes of Reiki — why not try it?

A Morning Full of Chaos

The morning of my appointment, my kitchen sink was clogged and water was almost overflowing. My husband was already trying to fix it — it was a mess — but I ran out the door feeling deeply grateful for him.

When I arrived, I met Marielle. We started with the massage. Normally, I’m very quiet during massages, but with her, we talked the whole time. I was still early in my spiritual awakening, and it felt so refreshing to speak with someone so open to spiritual discussion. Honestly, it was a breath of fresh air. I am so thankful for her presence that day — her openness and gentle guidance planted a seed I didn’t even realize was growing.

My First Reiki Experience

Then came the Reiki. It was relaxing — I saw colors behind my eyelids and felt warmth from her hands, but nothing extreme. Marielle told me that sometimes she sees images during Reiki and likes to share them. Then she said, “I keep seeing a kitchen sink overflowing with water.”

I hadn’t told her anything about my chaotic morning. I was stunned. Was it meaningful? I didn’t know, but it felt incredibly validating — one of those moments when the universe seems to whisper, “Pay attention.”

She then mentioned a small white fluffy dog. Immediately, I thought of dinner the night before with friends. Their toddler son, Owen Himes, was in the middle of a battle with ATRT, a rare and aggressive brain tumor. They had mentioned wanting to get him a small white fluffy dog for comfort. Out of all the things she could have seen, that was exactly what came through.

Marielle suggested, “Why don’t you learn Reiki and do Reiki on him?”

I laughed, thinking, “Me? No way.” I didn’t know at the time that anyone could learn Reiki. She even offered me a massage table she wasn’t using, though I politely declined.

Looking back, I realize Marielle planted a very big seed that day — one I didn’t even know was growing. I am deeply grateful for her guidance, encouragement, and the way she opened the door to this journey for me.

Learning Reiki

About five months later, I decided to learn Reiki. The more I read and researched, the more I felt called to it. I thought it could be a beautiful way to support Owen and his family. I knew Reiki wouldn’t cure cancer, but it could provide comfort and energetic support.

After my first certification and attunement, everything shifted. During my very first session on a friend, I began receiving visions and images — like an old-school film reel playing rapidly. It was overwhelming at first. I wrote down everything I remembered and connected it to the chakras and areas of the body where the images appeared. It felt like putting together a puzzle.

I noticed how each chakra correlated with different aspects of a person’s life. I could see how certain habits or stress patterns were disrupting their energy flow — sometimes even creating physical symptoms.

Respecting Timing and Readiness

I never ended up giving Reiki directly to Owen. His parents thoughtfully considered it, but it wasn’t the right time, and I completely honor that. This taught me a profound lesson: energy healing is not about what I can give, but about what someone is ready to receive. Sometimes, the most powerful act of care is simply holding space and sending love without expectation.

Over time, I offered Reiki to other friends who might benefit. Some accepted, some didn’t. Each experience reminded me: true empowerment comes not from insisting we have the answers, but from showing up with integrity, openness, and love.

I continued my Reiki journey, completing Reiki II and eventually becoming a Reiki Master Teacher. I dove in fully, learning everything I could — and I still learn every day. Reiki is a practice, a way of being, and one of its deepest lessons is that energy flows most powerfully when it is welcomed, not forced.

The Ripple Effect

Today, Reiki is a huge part of my life. I use it every single day, for myself and for my clients. It has deepened my intuitive abilities and completely transformed my life.

If it weren’t for that little white fluffy dog vision that connected me to that strong warrior boy, Owen Himes, I wouldn’t be here. This story is a perfect example of the ripple effect: small sparks of connection can transform our path in ways we never imagined.

Even though Owen’s time here was short, and our lives only intersected briefly, he changed my life. Because of him, I found Reiki — and now I get to help so many others.

Honoring Owen

To honor Owen’s spirit, I am creating my own Reiki classes to teach my version of Reiki — blending intuition, energy, and practical healing techniques. I am naming this Reiki after him: O.W.E.N. — Our Warrior’s Energy Never Ends. Through these classes, I hope to carry forward Owen’s energy and the lessons he unknowingly helped me learn, so that his light continues to ripple out and support anyone ready to receive it.

And of course, I must give thanks to Marielle Angell, who first introduced me to Reiki and planted the seed that led me here. Her openness, insight, and encouragement have forever shaped my journey. She inspires me to always share my visions — no matter how “crazy” they might seem — with all my clients, helping them receive the guidance they need.