An embrace can heal. An embrace that conveys warm acceptance and irrevocable security, even for a moment, can have lasting benefits for weeks and months.

Perhaps the greatest curse of the COVID pandemic was the inability to connect with each other on the most visceral level, through touch.

During the height of social distancing guidelines and mandatory closures, Dark Room Therapy opened its doors.

Kerensa Gwin-Johnson, a native of Chicago, has established her massage therapy business in downtown Thomasville, AL.

As a licensed and certified massage therapist, Kerensa specializes in Pain Reduction and Stretch Therapy offering a variety of massages to meet an equal number of client needs.

“Through muscle stretching and massage, many chronic conditions can be managed. There’s no need to live with constant pain or discomfort,” she said.

During an appointment Kerensa collaborates with her client to determine the type of massage desired. From light to firm pressure or heated stones and essential oils, the massage is customized to fit the client’s needs.

A complete list of Dark Room Therapy services may be found on the Facebook page, Dark Room Therapy.

Her service hours are divided between her shopfront in Thomasville (12 West Front Street) and chiropractor Dr. Brian Graham’s Total Spine and Rehab clinic in Jackson, AL.

“I’m also a certified nutritionist and have worked as a mobile weight-loss counselor and with home health providers to assist obese and diabetics improve their nutrition,” Kerensa explained. She offers nutrition counseling as a secondary service at Dark Room Therapy.

She willingly shares her struggle with the autoimmune disease Vitiligo, a loss of skin pigment-producing cells, and how she manages it through nutrition and other therapies.

“Stress is a major trigger for autoimmune disease flare-ups,” said Kerensa. “But there are many beneficial ways people can adjust parts of their lifestyle to manage stress and reduce flare-ups.”

An Unlikely Path

Kerensa admitted that transitioning to a life in the south was not a personal goal until 2017.

“The only part of the south that I wanted to see was in my rearview mirror. But my heart softened as I encountered its people, temperate weather, and food.”

Massage Therapist Kerensa Gwin-Johnson

“Chicago is home, but it has become overwhelmingly bad. The random home invasion we experienced had me constantly on edge and the tipping point was New Year’s Eve of 2017.” Kerensa related, “My daughter and I had to crawl into the hallway to sleep that night because of the gunshots being fired in our neighborhood. I could hear bullets hitting the roof and as we huddled on the floor in the hallway, and I vowed that I wouldn’t spend another year there [Chicago].”

When Kerensa’s daughter graduated college and moved to Portland, OR in 2018, she knew Alabama was her next step.

“My mom had moved here several years before, and I had learned to appreciate the life in Alabama,” she said with a smile. “A lot of amazing doors opened to me during the transition and I’m very thankful.”

Kerensa acknowledges the critical assistance of the Thomasville Public Library during her business launch. “Alabama requires 50 more hours of training to practice in the state. I was able to do every bit of it at our public library. The people there are just so helpful, and its resources are invaluable.”

“The purpose of massage is improving overall health and well-being,” explained Kerensa. “It’s just another tool to help your body continue to function at its best.”

Long’s Family Farm in Jackson, AL, is growing sunshine by the acre.

Chris and Emily Long’s sunflower field opens tomorrow, June 12, and everyone is invited to pick a little sunshine of their own. Located at 1331 McVay Road, about a mile off of Hwy. 43, this local family is excited to share their adventure with the community.

“Sunflowers just make me happy,” explained Emily Long. “I know they make a lot of people smile.”

After receiving a great response from their small sunflower garden on Highway 43 last fall, the family decided to plant two larger fields this spring.

“Sunflowers grow well and are hearty, withstanding drought and downpours,” explained Chris. “I treated the sunflower field with a weed killer this year and our sunflowers have thrived.”

There is no entry fee. Flowers are $1 per stem or a dozen stems for $10. Some stems have multiple blooms. According to Emily the blooms will last up to 14 days and the smaller blooms will continue to open and last as long as the original bloom.

The Longs will loan flower snips, but encourage flower gatherers to bring their own clippers or pruners. Water will be for sale on site as well.

“We want everyone who comes to enjoy themselves,” related Emily.

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Pictured is the Long’s son Jackson holding one of the field’s beautiful blooms.

Hours of operation (starting June 12 and subject to change)

Monday closed

Tuesday closed

Wednesday closed

Thursday 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Friday 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Saturday 9:00 am to 6:30 pm

Sunday 9:00 am to 6:30 pm

Some sections of the fields will be available for professional photo sessions. Professional photographers will be required to pay a $20 fee upon arrival. Photography fees only apply to professional photographers hosting photo shoots.

“We want everyone to come and enjoy our farm and take all the pictures they’d like,” Emily said.

Full bloom is late June in the small field and Mid-late July in the large field. 

The first bloom will last between 4-6 weeks, depending on the weather.

The Longs plan to replant a fall sunflower field and a pumpkin patch after the summer sunflowers fade.

For more information please contact Long’s Family Farm on Facebook.

Since the moment I laid eyes on my children, gasping their first breaths, I have been in love with and in awe of each one. I remember seeing my firstborn, precious Amerie Grace, and thinking, “I have changed the world, because she is here now.”

Kevin and I literally burst with overwhelming pride and pleasure when we consider the gifts and talents of our children. They are extraordinary: Amerie’s laser focus; Adrianna’s indominable determination; Paul’s confounding logic. 

We tried to instill the realization that accompanying these great blessings is a great responsibility to make the world a better place. “To whom much is given, much is required.” Our hope is that the advantages we were blessed to give them, and their innate abilities, will move them to positively touch the lives of others; that they will continue to look inward for ways to reach outward.

Paul has been a great example to me in living this principle.

The other day I had to drop him off at the civic center and was making the turn into the circle-drive directly in front of the building.  “No, no, no, Mom!” he cried, putting his hands on the dashboard. “Just drop me off in the parking lot.” Whipping the car back into the parking area, I turned to him exasperated and said, “What? I’m taking you to the front door.” “Mom,” he patiently explained. “I don’t need to be dropped off at the front door. I’m just a Regular Joe and I can walk from the parking lot like everyone else.”

I mean, I wasn’t going to open the car door for him or throw flower petals at his feet as he stepped out. Yet the simple act of walking the extra steps with his fellow classmates seemed important to him. Special treatment, real or perceived; awards, and praise, of any kind, makes him uncomfortable. What is that? I’m still trying to name it. 

Throughout Paul’s foundational years, we have encouraged him to take the lead in school and community related activities. We see in him qualities, such as the patience to persevere, to simplify the complicated, to unearth an issue to its root, that make him a candidate for leadership roles. 

Seeking prominence and authority just isn’t Paul’s style. He’d rather come along side someone and assist in their struggle or collaborate with a team to accomplish a goal.  This is termed “Leading from Behind,” and it’s not flashy or glorious.

Nelson Mandela puts it like this, “A leader … is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.” 

He let me read his Salutatorian speech that he will deliver during graduation ceremonies. It is good and simple, much like its orator. As usual, Paul gets to the crux of the matter rather quickly. According to my guy, life and its purpose all boils down to loving. He describes how simple and desirable this action is, but how challenging it can be to put into practice.

There is great purpose behind Paul’s eyes; a reason that is still unfolding.  I am seeing a man emerge from boyhood. 

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So, if you see my boy around, there’s no need to laud him or even slap him on the back. Just get alongside him, put him on your team, ask him to work. He’s a Regular Joe and that makes me the proudest mom in the world.