Nature as a Healer

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike." -John Muir

When I read this quote in one of Carol Labuzzetta's blogs, I quicky recorded it in my digital journal. I knew that the family would feel the restorative power of nature in another week. We will travel to Cape May and the South Shore of Long Island, NY to celebrate the life of my husband, as per his request. Click here to read my recent Slice of Life. 

Being in nature for nine days brings a smile. There will be time to pause and relax, remembering the summers of our lives basking in sunkissed sands and my husband's stories of his early life when he romped in the surf with his friends. I also remember our summer days when our children were young. We enjoyed the warming sun's rays, the coolness of the ocean's waters spraying our bodies, and the many walks on the boardwalk. Little did we know back then that our family's life would change radically as my husband's days on earth quickly faded.

I think back on John Muir's quote, knowing that soon nature will provide peace to my soul and healing to my emotions and body. The warmth of the sand, the beauty of the sea, and the calling of the gulls will bring me home to Richard's sacred place. 

He provided an intinerary for our celebration of life so we will honor his wishes. While he did not include Cape May in his plan, we will travel there first and remember our time together. Then, we will drive to Long Beach, Long Island to return to Jones Beach, Field 6. There we will send our fondest memories from the ocean waves to Richard's new home above. 

Join me as I let nature bring its restorative powers of healing to each member of my family. 

during summer days

nature nurtures bodies and souls

finds pathways to peace

on quiet walks warmed by sands

gifts of solace comfort life

you look downward

from heaven's golden seat

wishes of love float

 ©CVarsalona, summer of 2025, draft

digital art of a Long Island Beach

🌞

It's time to offer my thoughts about my husband's Celebration of Life at the shores of Cape May, NJ and Long Island, NY. My Floridian poet friend and book lover, Jan Annino, is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup. Her blog post, Resilience, is interesting and starts off with a photo of a manatee enjoying his time floating followed by questions for readers. "Do you need a pause? Do you yearn to just drift? Besides Jan's post, she introduces each poet/writer and the poetic goodness that they are sharing.