Michelle, Dorie’s daughter, says, “It only seemed right for the balcony to be a place for the residents to go out and enjoy. I hope my mom spends many hours out on the balcony taking care of her new gardens.”
The project began with a thoughtful gift from Michelle’s daughter Jessica – two beautiful flowers from Prince Edward Island. Inspired by these flowers, Michelle and her husband created five wooden flower displays to decorate the 2B balcony. What started as a simple idea soon turned into a labor of love. Each flower has a dedication on the back, representing the entire family.
“This way our mom is surrounded by her husband, her four children and their spouses, and her 10 grandchildren every day,” says Michelle.
The balcony now includes four raised garden beds and watering cans, which were generously donated by P.K. Douglass Inc, as well as flowers, herbs and other types of plants to place in the garden beds.
On the day of the garden set up, the support from Wellbrook Place staff and residents and their families left an impact on Michelle. Pictures and messages kept their family updated throughout the day.
The garden has since brought joy to many residents, offering a space to relax, engage in gardening, and enjoy the beauty of nature. This project, initially a personal endeavor, has become a shared source of happiness and connection for Wellbrook Place residents.
“While we did this for our mom, it was incredible to see all the residents sit by the window and enjoy the set up,” says Michelle. “It was equally amazing to see the residents who could go out and help.”
Story shared with permission by Partners Community Health, see the original post and photo gallery here.
