Melissa would always say, “Daddy why don't you allow me to go to the woods”?. Her father would stare blankly at her and walk away without uttering a single word. Melissa sobs bitterly each time this incident occurred.
But her mother would always come into the picture to cheer her up.
Melissa happens to be my childhood friend who was diagnosed with a certain severe disease condition, which kept her in the hospital for some months.
During her time in the hospital, Melissa's world shrank to the sterile walls of her room. The illness had paralyzed her, both physically and emotionally and psychologically.
Days turned into nights, and hope felt distant.
One afternoon, as sunlight filtered through the hospital window, Melissa's mother brought in a pot of vibrant flowers. "Let's bring a touch of nature in here," her mother said with a warm smile. She placed the pot by Melissa's bedside, and the blossoms seemed to brighten the room instantly.
Despite her weakened state, Melissa found solace in the presence of those flowers. Their colors and fragrances were a small piece of the outdoors she craved.
As weeks passed, Melissa's condition began to stabilize, but her spirit remained fragile. She often talked about her longing for the woods, a place she associated with freedom and tranquility.
On one fateful day, the doctor came into her ward, and started a conversation with Melissa.
“Good afternoon Melissa, hope you're doing great today?”
“I'm getting better, " she responded sluggishly and reluctantly”
The doctor smiled and patted her shoulder and said gently but confidently, “you’ll be fine”.
Unknowingly to Melissa, her father had spoken with the doctor the previous day about her longing for the woods, but the doctor rather suggested the hospital garden, since it was closer.
He had come to break the news to her. On hearing this, Melissa's eyes sparkled with interest, her countenance became brighter. With great effort, she managed to visit the garden with the help of her mother.
The moment Melissa entered that green oasis, something felt different within her. Surrounded by the vibrant blooms and the gentle rustle of leaves, a sense of calm enveloped her. The worries and pain seemed to fade, replaced by a feeling of connectedness to something greater than herself.
In that garden, I met Melissa again when I came to visit her. I had been battling depression, lost in my own dark puzzle. Yet, seeing her there, finding solace in nature's embrace, sparked a glimmer of hope within me.
Together, we embarked on a journey of healing through nature. We would sit by the garden's edge, sharing stories, or simply bask in the sunlight, feeling the earth beneath us.
Nature became our sanctuary. The trees whispered tales of resilience, the flowers painted hope, and the breeze carried whispers of comfort. The bird songs and chatters sounded like a beautiful symphony to our soul. They filled the air with music, which soothed our souls. The vibrant colors from the vegetation were comforting to our spirits.
As Melissa's health improved, so did my spirits. The healing power of nature was beginning to manifest in our lives. Our bond strengthened amidst the beautiful flora, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, there's light to be found.
All images belong to me, and were taken by my mobile device.