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When I give someone a tour of our facility, I always look forward to arriving at the entrance to our healing garden. Before we enter, I tell them about Virginia Burt and explain that her professional life is devoted to the design of healing gardens. Once they fully experience Virginia’s creation, they know we chose the right person for the job. Not only is Virginia extremely talented, but her energy and enthusiasm for our project immediately made her feel like a part of our staff.
What Virginia has added to our organization is truly remarkable. Although installation of our garden began over the summer, one would think our healing garden grew over a number of years. Virginia captured the spirit of our organization and wove it into the fabric of the garden. Every functional area of the garden has the appearance of a unique piece of art. When you gaze upon Virginia’s creation, you are overwhelmed by the tremendous thought, foresight, and inspiration that went into the placement of every tree, bench and sculpture. As an organization, we are truly thankful that Virginia, and her wonderful spirit, will forever be a part of our work.” |
Eileen Saffran, LISW
Executive Director
The Gathering Place |
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If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft
And thy slender store, two loaves alone to thee are left
Sell one and with the dole
Buy hyacinth to feed the soul. |
Moslih Saadi,
Persian Poet 13th Century |
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To watch the faces of those who call Shalom Village home, many of whom suffer from the ravages of dementing diseases, wandering in our gardens, planting petunias and tomatoes they have carefully nurtured all winter, simply wanting to sit out of doors in the inviting spaces created by Visionscapes, gives credence to the poet’s words – truly these gardens feed the soul. We could not ask more from our investment. |
Pat Morden, CEO
Shalom Village Long Term Care Facility |
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| From the initial stages of the project to its completion your enthusiasm and professionalism were outstanding…Know you are a part of our heart and soul here at John Gordon Home and the garden is a place of healing for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. |
Lisa Poultney, Executive Director
The John Gordon Home |
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| It was a great honour for me to be associated with the sacred work you offered at the conference...at the closing…the loud spontaneous applause for your quiet sacred space was a fitting tribute for the love you ...expressed through giving. |
Jack Gendron, Prayer and Meditation Room Coordinator
Spirituality in the Workplace Conference, 1998 |
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| Now I truly understand the “vision” in Visionscapes. |
Davee Gunn, Private Client |
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| During my garden construction, the earth energies must have been stirred up, and I thought of the line from T. S. Eliot, “Was this a birth or a death, they seemed so different at one time.” It was then I realized that you…are the midwife of the birth of my own healing garden. |
Dr. Diana Ingram, Private Client |
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| When Virginia …presented the final master plan to our stakeholders there was a stunned and at first, puzzling silence. And then I realized that each of the stakeholders were looking in awe that their ideas, discussions and concerns were woven into the very core of the design. Virginia provides thoughtful, clear and professional guidance. She has the integrity to understand how to manifest our story onto a piece of land that reflects our mission, purpose and values. Her work is outstanding and creative. I recommend her highly. |
Sister Rose Bator, H.M., Executive Director
Common Ground, The Cindy Nord Centre for Renewal |
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| Thank you for your unwavering dedication to this project from the earliest discussions about design options right through to the timely completion of the installation. Thank you also for donating a considerable amount of your time to this project…as well. It is fitting that plaque, which acknowledges your generosity, is placed at the entrance of the labyrinth. As Homewood patients, staff and volunteers enter this place of healing comfort, they will know that you helped make it happen. This has been a very special collaboration. Thank for all you have done to make it a success. |
Edgaro Perez, MD, CEO and Chief of Staff, Homewood Health Centre
Kenneth Murray, Past Chairman, The Homewood Foundation
Elaine Howard, President, Homewood Volunteer Association |
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"After Virginia collected all our ideas of what we wanted in our healing garden, she included them all and more, in the most exquisite garden design. As the landscape and especially the healing garden have taken shape, the spectacular results are even beyond expectation.
One of our volunteers, a cancer survivor, seeing the garden for the first time this morning became tearful, as she tried to express to me her joy in all the beauty. Clearly overwhelmed after walking through the garden she said, ' This is so beautiful, I have no words.' |
Sister Joy Fratianne, HM
Support Services, Community Health Partners |
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Virginia Burt is one of those very special people who appear to have truly found their life’s work. Her spirit, compassion, knowledge, and experience are woven together into a very talented soul. Nature and the creation of Healing Gardens are in her bones. Virginia intertwined her expertise and guidance with our ideas throughout the project. She was always extremely professional, positive and genuinely excited about the project and the depth of experience the patients, families, and staff could experience when they visit. The Healing Garden is beautiful and moving, as was the experience of working with Virginia.
Thank you. |
Rick Grahovac, Executive Director
Support Services
CHP Ireland Cancer Center |
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| And…how much I love not only working with you and becoming friends, BUT the genius you have in designing, creating, installing, imagining, digging, etc. You have been a true gift in my life…and at a time when I certainly needed a healing garden. I thank you from deep within my heart for not only “my” garden, but hopefully, one for many to enjoy…drinking, laughing, watching sunsets AND, of course, watching the “fish”. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. |
Margo Roth
Residential Client |
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