RVH Foundation Wind Phone located in the RVH Healing Garden
The RVH Foundation is excited to announce that we have added a “WIND PHONE” to our beautiful RVH Healing Garden.
Caption: RVH Foundation Wind Phone located in the RVH Healing Garden
PURPOSE of a WIND PHONE
WIND PHONES provide a space for individuals to process grief by talking to deceased loves ones. It’s a way to say things left unsaid, share memories, and find a sense of connection.
How it works:
The phone no longer rings and there is no dial tone. In fact, it is connected to nothing at all. And yet, it provides people in grief a way to express feelings, share memories and say the goodbyes they never had the chance to say. The concept is simple yet incredibly profound. It is for anyone who has lost someone special in their life. When people lift the receiver, even dial a number, they have an opportunity to talk with their special person and let the wind carry their thoughts and words over the trees and into the beyond.
Origins
The concept was created by Itaru Sasaki in Japan after the 2011 tsunami, which took the lives of many in his community, including his cousin. Itaru put a wind phone up in a quiet place and people came from miles around to connect with the loved ones they lost.
Symbolism
The wind phone symbolizes a connection to the deceased, a way to release emotions, and a reminder that is it ok to grieve.
Global Movement
Wind Phones have been installed in various locations around the world, including Canada. They can be found in parks, cemeteries, and other quiet spaces and now in the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Healing Garden.
“Give yourself permission to say and feel whatever is in your heart and your mind. In grief, there is no right or wrong; no judgement or critique. Be at one with nature, your thoughts and memories.”
Be sure to stop and have a look if you are visiting our hospital. It is a beautiful addition to our RVH Healing Garden.
Patti Dillabough, Executive Director RVH Foundation and Foundation Manager Melanie Clemmer, the first to use the RVH Foundation Wind Phone