The same day that the white orchid appeared and when I was thinking about the potential for healing in all of this—in orchids blooming and the summoning of images—green hills bursting forth into song—trees clapping—this same day, I started fooling around a little on the web, looking (again) for gardens and healing, and I found this: Hope in Bloom.
Hope in Bloom is a non-profit in West Newton, Massachusetts whose mission is to plant a garden, free of charge, for anyone in Massachusetts undergoing treatment for breast cancer. You can learn more about the group here, a group inspired by a long friendship between the founder, Roberta Hershon, and her friend of fifty years, Beverly Eisenberg, an avid gardener who died of breast cancer in 2005.
I like the list, “Why We Do It,” which is included in their brochure. Here are a few highlights:
• The sights and sounds of a garden restore the mind, body and spirit.
• Studies show gardens relieve stress and anxiety.
• Gardens are beautiful, private sanctuaries where people can connect with the rhythm of life.
Hope in Bloom planted its first gardens in the spring of this year. And Roberta tells me that she hopes to expand the program to other states soon. It’s the kind of thing that could exist—that maybe should exist—but who knew that it did? I’m hoping it makes it to North Carolina------
