An Inspiring Message from Our Sister Hospice
Our partners at Helderberg Hospice in Somerset West, South Africa shared the below letter and photo with us. As our summer ends and fall is right around the corner, our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are just heading into spring. It's a great reminder that no matter what's going on in the world, you can find peace and healing.
Read their note below, from Donor Liaison Officer Cheryl Rundle:
2020 has been a tough year. With the coming of Spring, we are reminded of the changing seasons of life.
“I believe in process. I believe in four seasons. I believe that winter’s tough,
but spring’s coming. I believe that there’s a growing season.
And I think that you realize that in life, you grow. You get better.”– Steve Southerland
Just a few weeks ago, our gardens were, like all of us, somewhat dishevelled and frazzled. The garden volunteer team were unable to tend to the garden for an extended period of time due to the Covid-19 lock down.
As Spring arrives and the restrictions ease, so the garden comes alive with hope, joy and re-birth. It’s a time of learning new skills and habits, acquiring knowledge, and a deeper level of self-understanding, triggering within us anticipation and a sense of purpose and direction.
Throughout the seasons both of life and the weather, death is a recurring theme. As the leaves on the trees die and fall to the ground, so do our dreams and relationships come to an end. The dying leaves hold great beauty, but we don’t always see the significance of this process. It can be a heart-rending, painful and frustrating time, especially when we lose our precious loved ones.
Just as the leaves die, they break down into mulch and become compost for the soil. This makes the soil richer, and whatever is planted in it grows stronger. Our experiences are the compost for the soil of our heart and soul. Allow them to cultivate and strengthen your heart and character, let the changing seasons of life become something beautiful and meaningful.
Whenever you get the chance, spend time in nature. Sit in a quiet spot in a nature reserve, or in a tranquil garden, and spend time remembering and honouring your loved ones who have passed on. Allow the dependability and beauty of the seasons to anchor and heal you, and to bring peace to your soul.