02.05.2009

The gentle sloping hillsides that majestically present The Overlook Life Care Community to the town of Charlton hold many uses; walking trails circle the perimeter; members of the MHS Fitness Center Boot Camp programs can be seen exhaustively “attacking” the inclined land in the wee hours of the morning as part of their workout regiment and, in the winter months, on occasion you see neighborhood children dotting the landscape armed with sleds and reckless abandon.

The base of one of these hills, located next to the front entrance, is now the home to a spiritually uplifting new feature to our neighborhood community. The Hospice Meditative Memorial Garden, the brainchild of Overlook’s Vice President of Hospice, Jeanine Dacri, began planting in the fall of 2008.

“The Memorial Garden is something that I have wanted to develop since I started working in hospice many years ago,” said Dacri. “When I joined Overlook I immediately noticed that the grounds of the campus were perfect for a garden that could grow large enough to offer serenity, joy and real healing to all who visit.”

Lucia Camara, Overlook Hospice’s Spiritual Care Minister, has been given the significant responsibility of heading up this project. Her expertise in Spirituality and Integrated Therapies make her a perfect candidate for the job (being an avid gardener certainly fills another main requirement). One of the most rewarding pieces in the build out of this project has involved all the different people who have enthusiastically volunteered in the planning and development process. The groups involved include the Independent Living Garden Club, some residents and families from the Overlook Masonic Health Center, staff from the campus as well as families of patients who have been part of our hospice program.

“The maintenance crew has been phenomenal in helping in the early stages of the development,” said Camara. “They also seem incredibly excited about the long-term potential. We welcome everyone and anyone with open arms who would like to participate. Some people have a green-thumb and want to be actively involved while others bring us wonderful thoughts and ideas. The garden ‘belongs’ to all and is a place where everyone should always feel welcome.”

Over time, Dacri sees a garden that will expand to include trees, plants, flowers, a gazebo, benches, paths and, perhaps, even a bridge. She leans forward will a glowing smile as she describes the, “endless possibilities” of what can be accomplished with such a dedicated core of volunteer workers and a beautiful piece of land. Dacri simply states, “I want a garden that will be inviting, allowing people to visit, sit, meditate, take in the smells and sounds, remember, and feel happiness or sadness, whatever it needs to be for them.

The role of plants and gardens in healing is ancient. As early as 3000 B.C. the Chinese were using medicinal herbs. The Greeks built a temple for their god of healing, set among mineral springs, bathing pools, and healing gardens. Green was a sacred color in ancient Egypt and represented the hope of spring that brought new vegetation and life.

Within the past few decades, the medical community around the world is rediscovering the healing power of gardens. Many hospitals and health care facilities are incorporating green spaces, flowerbeds and views of gardens into their surroundings and horticultural therapy programs are often an important part of a patient’s course of treatment. “Flowers help us to celebrate the joyous occasions in our lives,” said Camara. “In the best of times and in the more difficult times plants can offer us hope and inspiration.”

The Garden, which is being funded strictly by donations, has already generated a great deal of support. “We had a wonderful donation of 2000 bulbs ($800 worth), which were incorporated into our Hospice Memorial Service in November and have been planted in 3 large beds, the first of our garden,” said Dacri. “We will officially dedicate the garden in the spring of 2009 when all the flowers are in bloom.”

The garden is now reviewing a process to honor individuals with plaques. For example, if the garden receives a gift of trees, bushes, flowers, etc. or monetary donations “in memory of” a lost loved one; the individual will be honored with some type of recognition. If anyone has a loved one that they want remembered on the grounds of The Overlook, or any additional information regarding the Memorial Garden, they should contact Lucia Camara at 508-434-2200 or email her at lcamara@overlookvna.org.