By Lynette Cox
Discover the Wind Phone on Bernheim’s Meditation Trail
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum is proud to introduce a unique and heartwarming addition to its picturesque Meditation Trail: the Wind Phone. This thoughtful installation offers a space for individuals experiencing grief to express their heartfelt emotions in a private, beautiful, and peaceful setting.
Designed to provide solace and comfort, the Wind Phone resembles a classic rotary telephone, allowing users to dial their loved one’s number and share their thoughts and feelings. As the wind carries their words skyward, it creates a space for reflection, emotional release, and healing.
The Wind Phone’s concept originated in Japan in 2010 when Mr. Itaru Sasaki installed the first “telephone of the wind” in a garden after the unexpected loss of his cousin. Following the devastating 2011 tsunami in Japan, which claimed over 23,000 lives, the telephone became available to the public, offering a unique outlet for private grieving. The website Mywindphone.com features over 1200 subscribers and lists 169 Wind Phone locations in the United States, with Bernheim’s Wind Phone being the latest addition to this meaningful initiative.
Melanie Salsbury, a part-time professor at the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work and a Certified Grief Counselor, suggested bringing the wind phone to Bernheim’s Meditation Trail. Salsbury founded and leads the Cave Hill Cruisers, an outdoor grief support group in Louisville, Ky.
Supported by the family of Lily Bannerjee, the Meditation Trail provides visitors with opportunities for reflection, meditation, and relaxation. The trail features six designated areas, each with beautifully handmade benches and decks, allowing visitors to connect with nature and find solace in the beauty and tranquility of the surroundings.
“We are honored to introduce the Wind Phone as a part of our Meditation Trail and are grateful for the community support that made it possible,” said Dr. Mark K. Wourms, President and CEO of Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. “Bernheim is all about connections and connecting people with nature, and the placement of the Wind Phone on the MeditationTrail is perfect for those seeking solace and the chance to express their emotions in a serene and natural environment.”
National Public Radio’s program This American Life featured a 22-minute segment on how people respond to grief through the Wind Phone in an episode entitled “Really Long Distance,” further highlighting the profound impact of this unique installation.
The Wind Phone is located at the Sanctuary Stop, a serene spot on the Meditation Trail, providing visitors with a place to pause, reflect, and find solace amidst the beauty of nature.
