Garden Photo of the Day

Meditation Garden

By Alexandra Dittrich

Victoria Day shares this peaceful garden space, pleasing to the eyes and the soul…

NJ Sharing Network, a nonprofit organization that saves lives through organ and tissue donation, recently unveiled its Landscape of Life Meditation Garden, a landscaped area behind the organization’s headquarters which will serve as a quiet place for both families of organ and tissue donors and the organization’s employees.

This sanctuary offers many ways to honor, to remember, and to give hope:
•         Gather with loved ones for opportunities to reflect.
•         Spend a moment alone while surrounded by nature.
•         Meditate to the soothing sounds of running water.
•         Dedicate a stone in memory or honor of a loved one to be placed within the garden.

The 8,200-square-foot perennial garden is a project of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation, was designed by Muzi Li, a landscape architecture student at Rutgers University and built by Landscape Techniques, Inc. of Nutley. Groundbreaking on the project took place December 2015.  This garden was created to honor those who gave, pay tribute to those who received, offer hope to those who continue to wait, and remember the lives lost while waiting for the gift of life.

In addition to serving as a peaceful place for thought and remembrance, the meditation garden will also recognize the people who have made monetary contributions to the NJ Sharing Network. For example, some of the funds used to create the garden were from the NJ Sharing Network’s Employee Giving Campaign.  The staff raises philanthropic dollars for this annual campaign to support the NJ Sharing Network Foundation’s mission to provide education, research, public awareness, and donor family support.

Drone footage of the garden can be seen here.

 

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Comments

  1. frankgreenhalgh 08/22/2016

    Thank you Victoria for sharing the narrative, photos and drone footage of this peaceful and reflective garden for the benefit of all those associated with the wonderful cause of organ and tissue donation. A marvellous asset for the community. Congratulations to the NJ Sharing Network for the initiative, and all the very best for the future.

  2. user-7007498 08/22/2016

    Thanks, Victoria, for sharing information about the NJ Sharing Network and the development of the medication garden. Gardens have been proven to reduce stress, boost the immune systems, and help us create balance in our lives, especially when we are suffering from a chronic illness or dealing with a loved one who is suffering. Many people do not have a garden of their own, or do not realize the benefits of one.

    We here on the GPOD blog are so blessed to have created beautiful gardens for our own health and well being.

    1. frankgreenhalgh 08/22/2016

      Hey Kev. - Lovely sentiments eloquently expressed.

      On a different note, is the mob of Aussies still touring your fantastic garden in September? If so, I'm sure they are in for a treat, but the icing on the cake (so to speak) would be some Tim Tam biscuits (chocolate coated cookies). Arnotts makes the biscuits in Australasia, but I'm sure you could find something equivalent in your neck of the woods.

      Cheers, Frank

      1. user-7007498 08/22/2016

        The tour is still set for Sept 8th. About 35 Aussie's will arrive at my garden by tour bus. I am the 5th, and last of the local gardens they will visit on that day. I looked up the Tim Tam biscuits. It looks like I can get them locally. Thanks for the tip, Frank.

    2. wGardens 08/22/2016

      My appreciation to Victoria as well... and to you, Kevin, for expressing it so well. And best wishes for your upcoming tour, Kevin. It will be a fabulous experience for your visitors!

  3. sharongoetchius 08/22/2016

    The you for sharing this, Victoria. What a wonderful space! It must be so very appreciated! It certainly is beautiful!?

  4. User avater
    meander_michaele 08/22/2016

    I hope you will submit a round of pictures every couple of years, Victoria, to show the garden's evolving maturation. Plants that are not very significant now will grow into eye catching beauties and be very worthy of contemplation. That's often how the solution to an emotional or life problem is...it starts small and barely noticeable but if you give it consistent nurturing, it can becomes strong and self sufficient and something you can count on. Hmm, don't get started on the life metaphors in gardening.

    1. GrannyCC 08/22/2016

      Well said!!

  5. User avater
    LindaonWhidbey 08/22/2016

    Victoria, thanks for sharing this beautiful garden. It must be greatly appreciated by the patients at this clinic. Those of us with gardens are lucky people as Kevin eloquently posted.

  6. GrannyCC 08/22/2016

    Thanks for sharing this garden, It looks like a wonderful and peaceful place.

  7. eddireid 08/22/2016

    It is heartwarming to learn of gardens created as places to enjoy Peace. Those of us who have the privilege of creating a private garden know so well the incredible feeling of calm and well being which is our reward.
    May the NJ garden be a constant salve to soothe bodies and minds.
    Thank you Victoria for sharing this special place with us on GPOD.

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