Recently while in Wisconsin helping with my aging mother, my younger sister Jeanne was diagnosed with lymphoma. She is 47 and mother of two beautiful young boys Henry 10, and Abraham 8. One day while contemplating what the future holds for her, I weeded in the garden at Hearthside Commons, a senior apartment complex and my mother's home. It was therapeutic for me and as I prayed for Jeanne the idea to plant a healing garden at that very spot came to me. The managers Margaret and Howie loved the idea and I proceeded to contact family and friends. They provided all the perennials and healing plants that now fill the once empty space.Contributors are my brother Kevin Shelley, Captain in the local N-M fire department, his wife Julie(K-C event coordinator) their daughter Jaclyn (diagnosed with juvenile diabetes 3 years ago who has created Shelley’s Sneakers to raise money for JD research), my UW-FVC college friend Mary(Moder) Bahr ,West Salem, SMC classmate Debbie (Guralski) Schneider, friend from Brin Theatre Alliance - Menasha Mayor, Don Merkes and the most wonderful contribution was the 30# raw rose quartz crystal, my cousin Steve Boegh- owner Fox River Stone & Brick, which completed the tribute to Jeanne's healing journey she is about to embark on. One of my biggest supporters is my life long friend Jack Klein, his family inclding his father past Menasha Mayor, John Klein who is Jeanne’s Godfather. Now I knew I was leaving so I contacted the master gardeners at the local extention I attended for college. Then the president of the regional garden clubs referred me to Sandra Smet, who was setting up the first ever adult/children's flower arranging show. She does horticulture programs in the libraries, park and recs and schools educating the future gardeners throughout the region. Then the Girl Scouts got on board. They now have a Horticulture badge which they do community service in order to recieve it.
I will be sending them all the details for continuing the work begun in August. The future holds the possibility of these groups working together to continue to plant healing gardens at all the senior independant apartments, assisted living and nursing homes where there is land available in the Fox River Valley. Needless to say this trip was one of growth and inspiration. I venture to FL for three weeks to help Jeanne begin her treatment. I will be looking for a spot of land to plant another healing garden there!

Jeanne's Journey