Verbena Bee

Flower Pressing Session!

As the ladies began arriving for Winter Wellness for Plant People, I was suddenly struck with a realization. The group had really started to gel. Predominately the same residents returned for all the sessions and had become a cohesive collection of flower loving friends. I watched how they naturally helped each other, shared resources and connected with laughter and song. They had become a community within a larger memory care community. It was beautiful to witness.

When I initiated this programming with Avita I was aware the participants would be coming from three different “neighborhoods” within the facility. They did not all spend their days together. What connected them was an inherent love of plants. They may not always remember the faces or names of people they love, but they did remember they loved flowers and plants. It was my hope that we might communicate with the language of flowers. That the experience could possibly unlock some memories and support their wellbeing. What was happening each time we met exceeded my wildest imagination. We were connecting on a deep level. Sometimes it was with words. Other times a hug or a hand reaching out and holding mine. Eyes brightening and smiling declaring, “I’m here with you now!”

The staff had shared how some of the participants had kept their name-tags on after the session ended. Others carried the potted succulent or Tussie Mussies around for the rest of the day. They were connecting with the experience in a joyful way and sharing this with the community at large. Being part of a community is a very powerful thing. It’s one of the key indicators for a healthy and long life. Being part of a community supports our mental health. The pandemic demonstrated what happens when we are living in isolation. It’s a slippery slope. We need each other.

Walking through the forest I’m reminded of the role community plays in the plant world. Trees share resources and form an interlocking network of roots to anchor them. They communicate with fungi sharing silent messages to other trees when under stress. They’re all connected. As are we. Some of our ways of communicating may feel like code. Our loved ones with dementia may sit expressionless until someone connects in an unexpected way. A beautiful question perhaps to open the gate?

Today I asked, “ Who is your hero?” A woman who seldom talks said, “ It’s hard for me to talk…words. We’re all hero’s.” Yes, you certainly are hero’s in my book.