Memorial Garden—Entrance to Memorial Garden—Celebrating Life’s Eternal Journey
20 ICSA TODAY
MeadowHaven
I entered MeadowHaven, a residential
program for former members, in
September of 2008. I was totally
exhausted, both physically and
mentally, and emotionally dead. I
didn’t want to die, but I had no will to
live. Having my children had always
kept my will alive. This time, I felt so
bad that I feared I would hinder their
recovery. My little life’s flame was on
its last few flickers until the directors
of MeadowHaven came to my rescue.
It was at MeadowHaven that I was
inspired to begin art as part of my
healing. I loved the outdoors and was
drawn there in my darkest hours. It
was at just such a time that I was
inspired to create a memorial
garden for former members who lost
their lives, many who have been
forgotten, to build their legacies and
keep their dreams alive.
My healing has also been a journey of
self-discovery. My works of art have
been a major part of this process. My
art has been an avenue to calm my
tortured mind and tell my story. The
wonders of nature renew my strength
and spirit, and rocks give me a sense
of stability and safety because they
never change. On my walks I had
picked up so many that I sought a
way to display and keep them, to
remember these precious days of my
healing journey. So I created many
different arrangements with the rocks
from the sea, pathways, and streams.
Personal affirmations were encouraged
in our self-talk therapy, but my
traumatized mind had difficulty
remembering and staying focused. I
lived as if I were outside of my life
looking in. I would wake up feeling
disconnected, and I found myself
needing to touch my surroundings and
repeat my affirmations. Soon I began
painting the affirmations on my favorite
rocks. Others requested these objects. I
have now branched out to create these
objects to help others and not just
myself.
Memorial Garden—St. Anthony with Flowers
MeadowHaven’s Memorial Garden is dedicated
to those whose lives were cut short by their
involvement in abusive groups. For family and
friends, we hope it can be a place for new
beginnings. To help support this important
work, please contact mhmemorial@gmail.com
VOLUME 4 |NUMBER 2 |2013 21
ICSA_volume4Issue2_Final 8/9/13 8:31 PM Page 22
20 ICSA TODAY
MeadowHaven
I entered MeadowHaven, a residential
program for former members, in
September of 2008. I was totally
exhausted, both physically and
mentally, and emotionally dead. I
didn’t want to die, but I had no will to
live. Having my children had always
kept my will alive. This time, I felt so
bad that I feared I would hinder their
recovery. My little life’s flame was on
its last few flickers until the directors
of MeadowHaven came to my rescue.
It was at MeadowHaven that I was
inspired to begin art as part of my
healing. I loved the outdoors and was
drawn there in my darkest hours. It
was at just such a time that I was
inspired to create a memorial
garden for former members who lost
their lives, many who have been
forgotten, to build their legacies and
keep their dreams alive.
My healing has also been a journey of
self-discovery. My works of art have
been a major part of this process. My
art has been an avenue to calm my
tortured mind and tell my story. The
wonders of nature renew my strength
and spirit, and rocks give me a sense
of stability and safety because they
never change. On my walks I had
picked up so many that I sought a
way to display and keep them, to
remember these precious days of my
healing journey. So I created many
different arrangements with the rocks
from the sea, pathways, and streams.
Personal affirmations were encouraged
in our self-talk therapy, but my
traumatized mind had difficulty
remembering and staying focused. I
lived as if I were outside of my life
looking in. I would wake up feeling
disconnected, and I found myself
needing to touch my surroundings and
repeat my affirmations. Soon I began
painting the affirmations on my favorite
rocks. Others requested these objects. I
have now branched out to create these
objects to help others and not just
myself.
Memorial Garden—St. Anthony with Flowers
MeadowHaven’s Memorial Garden is dedicated
to those whose lives were cut short by their
involvement in abusive groups. For family and
friends, we hope it can be a place for new
beginnings. To help support this important
work, please contact mhmemorial@gmail.com
VOLUME 4 |NUMBER 2 |2013 21
ICSA_volume4Issue2_Final 8/9/13 8:31 PM Page 22
