January 29, 2010 - Posted by tamilb
- Flowers – and love – do have power.
It’s in the teens here on this gloomy, winter day. What better time to think about spring with all it’s beautiful, fragrant flowers?
Miracle Survivor, Susan Farmer, was facing an extremely gloomy period of her life in 2001 when she was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. Debilitated from treatments and diabetic complications, she could barely walk and rarely left the house.
Luckily, Susan had wonderful friends and family members who came to her aid and brightened her days. Letting go of her hesitation to ask for help, Susan soon starting seeking out cancer organizations to assist her. She discovered Hope in Bloom, a non-profit organization that plants indoor, patio and outdoor gardens free of charge at the homes of Massachusetts’ residents undergoing breast cancer treatment.
When I found their Web site( www.hopeinbloom.org), I started crying with joy. The founder Roberta Hershon formed the organization after she lost her best friend Beverly to breast cancer. She wanted to share what she did for Beverly while she was in treatment: taking care of her garden and keeping her house filled with flowers.The landscape designers asked me what I like, and I responded that I enjoyed going to Cape Cod. So they planted a beautiful healing garden with plants you see growing on the Cape. They even installed a lovely bench with a tree overlooking it.
I happened to be one of the first people to benefit from the program. On the first day, I saw this army of people coming to my house. The youngest person was in high school; the oldest was my neighbor who was in her 70s. They came up to me and wrapped their arms around me. They sincerely meant from their heart to give to another human being. It was such a beautiful experience; everyone was crying.
It was great for my spirit and for my husband’s too. He thought his wife was dying from cancer. Having a garden was and continues to be such a great distraction for him.
For me, my garden is something to love that loves me back. I’m a very nurturing person, and the biggest heartache of my life was my inability to have children. When you love these flowers, they bloom over and over. It’s something to look forward to.
It’s wonderful that I’m now able to plan for the future instead of thinking, “I’m not going to be here next year, so why plant tulips?”
Thanks to aggressive surgery, Susan has been cancer-free for more than three years! You’ll hear more about her amazing story when Incurable to Incredible is published – another spring arrival. To see Susan and her beautiful garden, go to http://www.hopeinbloom.org/gardens/jamaica.htm.
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sam elliston says:
This is a lovely story and a very valuable one. I’m so glad the organization exists in Massachusetts.
thanks
Dayna says:
I read Susan’s article in Better Homes and Gardens (July 2011) and it inspired me. My father died of cancer over 9 years ago and it gives me strength to see cancer survivors with such hope and joy. What a wonderful organization!