Lemon Verbena & Reiki Magic
The Union Square Greenmarket was beginning to shut down when I spotted it - tender bundles of fragrant, fresh Lemon Verbena (pictured above.) Their citrusy scent was intoxicating. I had to have some.
The produce stand's patriarch spotted me smiling ear to ear breathing in the heady aroma. Was he a kindred spirit? It was a dollar a bunch, but he let me plunk down 2 smackaroos for the whole lot - about 7 precious bundles. A bargain. Who was I to say "no?"
I offered up one bundle to my Greenmarket compadre Jenn, as an herbal compliment to the striped bass she was preparing later that night, and began to mull over my own verbena options...Hmm...Lemon Verbena Sorbet? Lemon Verbena Custard? Lemon Verbena Infusion?
So many options. So little Lemon Verbena.
Headed home with recipes racing through my head and decided to put off deciding until Sunday. I had plans to hook up at Floyd NY with my pal Henry and a few of his friends. Placing the Lemon Verbena aside for more social pastures, I spritzed a little Lemon Sugar perfume behind my ears and ran out the door when...
KERPLUNK!!!
I'd fallen. And I couldn't get up.
My ankle throbbed. I knew I was on the bottom of my stoop, but I couldn't lift my head. I was inexplicably dizzy. Through the haze I realized that someone was kneeling beside me - gently rubbing my ankle - and a voice from another direction was asking if I was okay. I couldn't answer. A wave of nausea swept over me. Someone muttered something in Spanish. I attempted to mutter that I was alright, but at that point I was shaking a bit and sweating. I wasn't alright. But, some sort of guardian angel was still rubbing my ankle, attempting to soothe my pain.
A few seconds later, I regained my senses and realized that a whole family had stopped to assist me after my fall. It ended up that my guardian angel was actually an Hispanic Grandma - and professional Reiki Healer, who was plying her craft on my foot. Her daughter translated for me, explaining that my ankle was not broken, just sprained and that I would be okay.
I knew she was right - and thanked them all profusely as they headed off towards the Promenade. I was okay. In pain. But, ultimately okay.
Carousing wasn't in the cards anymore. I hobbled back upstairs to my apartment and was met with the potent scent of zesty lemon with just a hint of herbal notes - the Lemon Verbena.
Clearly, it was to be my companion for the evening after all. I settled on Lemon Verbena Ice Cream and Lemon Verbena Simple Syrup as the evening's projects - beyond icing my ankle and taking Ibuprofen. But, I think it was that elating aroma that truly helped the healing process begin - that and the wizardry of a kind family with enchanted Reiki powers.