"There comes a time when we feel we have done our BEST. When that time comes, Let it Go."
As Rick and I sat in the funeral mass of a dear friend, Patricia yesterday, I thought, "Did I do my best in the care of my friend?" I wasn't doubting myself, but made sure I was comfortable with her passing. No one is ever comfortable with one's passing. As the health care provider, I am never comfortable when a patient dies. When a patient dies, who has been part of my 'extended family', I am deeply saddened. The best I did was to make sure she was comfortable in her final days. I cannot thank her friends, family and hospice enough for doing what they know how to do best. I can ' let it go' NOW. This is just one example of letting it go.
" Letting Go" is a hard and difficult concept, but once learned it can be used over and over again.
A HEALING GARDEN. I know many herbalists that have such gardens. This is not a new field, but a different twist or concept. This is Horticulture Therapy. (HT) The definition of horticultural therapy is a process which uses plants, horticultural activities and the natural world to promote awareness and well being by improving the body, mind and spirit. Horticultural Therapy is universal, adaptable and validated by research. (Canadian Horticultural Therapy Associtaion 1997) The American Horticultural Therapy Association has different words but the same concept. At Cancer Centers of America in Philadelphia, the patients do work in their organic garden. It allows the patient to feel part of his/her therapy. This is done by gardening or collecting the organic vegetables that are served in the center's cafeteria.
Herbs and plants for centuries have been considered magical or mystical. In their own right, plants and herbs have been medicinal for those who choose. Plants are and will always be the basis for modern pharmaceutical science. That means any pharmaceutical drug that you consume was derived from a plant. Some people, as myself, are attracted to plants. Think about this--are you one of those individuals who glow when you see a bouquet of flowers? How do you feel walking in the woods or in Central Park? I am drawn to plants. Are you drawn to plants? This is the basis of Horticultural Therapy. We as a society mark significant days as Birthdays, Valentine's Day and even Christmas with plants and cultures. I do not know a single person that has not been attracted to plants or flowers at one time in their life. Then there are those, like me whose heart beats stronger, palms get sweaty and feel energized by plants. This is not an anxiety attack, but a spiritual awakening.
The research about HT is remarkable. HT can be a benefit to many individuals with a variety of diseases. Cancer patient as in the photo above can peer down into the heart of a dwarf juniper shrub before making the first cut. For this patient it is exhilarating. This is at a HT session in Chesapeake General Hospital.
HT relieves pain, reduces stress and improves self-esteem, mood and muscle tone.
If you do not have a healing garden--start one in the Spring. Or get involved in a community garden in your area. The Horticultural Therapy Partnership (HTP) website, designed by the Horticultural Society of New York to advance the practice of using horticulture for therapeutic purposes.
Organizations interested in developing or enhancing their own horticultural therapy programs, as well as individuals working in the field of horticultural therapy, are invited to download and use the four curriculum guides on this site. These guides provide practical information for using horticulture to impact four specific populations: individuals with mental illness, inmates in prison settings, at-risk youth, and inner-city children. The guides are intended to serve in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, development and vocational centers, assisted living centers and nursing homes, adult day care and senior centers, prisons, and homeless shelters.
The guides were developed by the Hort staff and field-tested on urban garden and farm projects undertaken in collaboration with social service agency partners. These partners and other organizations are part of the HTP formed in 2007 by The Hort to share best practices in horticultural therapy
For NYC programs check out http://thehort.org/horttherapy_htp.html
Until tomorrow...
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