I boarded a bus with the other Trainers, heading to the General Assembly in Madrid. The event was held at a massive, modern hotel and convention center. When Mia and some friends ushered me inside, we were told our rooms wouldn’t be ready for another four hours.

Mia wasn’t having it. “But Vimala is the Empress! She MUST have a room!” she declared to the desk clerk, gently pushing me forward.

The lovely man blinked a couple of times, smiled, and turned to his computer. He pulled out a piece of paper, slid it toward me, and asked, “Will you sign this, Your Highness?” The whole group burst into laughter, and I got my room. He even took a moment to tell us about his two special-needs children.

My room was lovely, featuring a massive bed that took up most of the space. After unpacking and grabbing some lunch, I rested up to prepare for my evening speech.

Miracles and Magic

Walking into the conference room that evening, I was greeted by so many CIMIs—both old friends and new faces. The room was buzzing with hugs and selfies, beautifully set up with white tablecloths, tapas, and wine. Once the room filled, our President, Margot, introduced me.

I felt a little “off my game” at first because the audience was standing, which made the situation feel a bit stressful. My mouth went completely dry, and I had to drink a lot of water throughout! Despite the nerves, I think I managed to get my core message across. My talk, “Miracles and Magic: My Personal Journey with Infant Massage,” set a theme that I carried into my workshop the next day. That feeling of “magic” truly pervaded the rest of the conference.

Following the speech, the room turned into a wonderful party. Everyone was snacking, talking, and sharing more hugs. I sat at a table to sign books, making sure every signature came with a hug and a selfie.

Exceptional Presentations

The speakers throughout the conference were outstanding. As we entered the main hall, we were handed translation headphones. Dr. Alvaro Bilbao gave a fantastic presentation titled “Constructing better brains: neuroscience lessons for parents,” which was packed with incredible information.

While I couldn’t attend every workshop, I heard excellent things from the others. Senior Trainer DeAnna Elliot delivered a deeply moving talk on the vast scope of Infant Massage and its impact on our shared world. Speaking about the potential we have to change the world brought her to tears, and she received a very well-deserved standing ovation.

Global Connections

I was thrilled to spend quality time with my dear friend Trainer Claire from France. At the French Chapter booth, I had a lot of fun and received several gifts, including their 2019 calendar, which I use constantly. I even picked up one of their materials and realized I could read and understand the French text on the back—my lessons are paying off! Both the French and South African chapters invited me to visit, and I truly hope I can make it happen.

The General Assembly was impressive, as always. Seeing every Chapter Representative holding their country’s flag is a powerful sight. We worked through the agenda, carefully explaining, questioning, and voting on each point.

The Journey Home

Packing up and boarding the twelve-hour flight home, I left with a heart full of beautiful memories. The Spanish Chapter did a phenomenal job hosting. Spending time with the chapter members was deeply special to me, and it made me wish I spoke more Spanish—especially since half my family is Spanish-speaking! I have now pledged to learn, and I am currently taking Spanish lessons alongside my French.

I arrived in Boulder via a shuttle from the Denver airport, completely exhausted. In fact, when I stepped off the shuttle, I fell right onto the sidewalk. Welcome home!

Unfortunately, I developed a bad upper respiratory and sinus infection. After years of illness, my immune system is still a bit unreliable, and big trips tend to take a toll. However, after ten days of antibiotics and repopulating my gut with probiotics, I was finally able to unpack. I am feeling fine now, surrounded by wonderful memories and beautiful gifts, like this stunning beaded logo from the tribespeople of South Africa.