Sonja Pawliw
Serenity Now…
Make a cup of tea and sit down with me for a few minutes. In our busy world, there is never enough time to just breathe and “be”. But a local gardener and artist, Sonja Pawliw, has made that elusive dream a reality with her beautiful Healing and Meditation Garden. Sonja is a dear friend, and I caught up to her (just barely- she’s such a busy lady!) to ask her a few questions about gardening and her very special garden.
I asked Sonja how long she has been gardening. Sonja said “I always gardened; I started with my grandma when I was a little girl. I made a flower garden at my country school when I was in grade 7 & 8. When we moved to town it was all veggie garden, so I went to work on it for my retirement. I wanted a garden to relax in.”
As we well know about busy people, they don’t do a whole lot of relaxing, so I asked Sonja where did the idea for her healing garden begin? “So at the end of the day, Ii went there to dump my day’s burdens and rejuvenate. My soul and spirit and felt much better, so to me, it was a meditation and healing. So that’s what it became and still is.”
I wondered when the “garden” transformed into something more. What metamorphosis happened? “I found it very peaceful as time went on I added water and fountains and music.
I loved all flowers and added statues of angels and chimes. Then 20 some years ago I opened it to the public and never regretted it. I had people from across the globe: Israel, Germany, Great Britain, and U.S.A. and across Canada.”
A garden is such a personal, expressive place, and sharing it with others is like giving a gift. I asked Sonja what she hopes her many and varied guests take away from a visit to her special place. “I do hope the guests leave with a feeling of inner peace, contentment, and a spiritual light heart.” I’m sure they do!
Guests to Sonja’s garden can indulge the senses: beautiful flowers, some you know and some very exotic, are a treat to the eyes. Gentle, meditative music can lull a stressed spirit into calmness, as does the soothing sound of trickling water. Sit down and let all these positive sensations wash over you. Breathe. Enjoy. Relax. That’s what Sonja’s garden is all about.
It’s what we all aim to create in our gardens, isn’t it: an oasis of tranquility. I can guarantee that you will be inspired with a visit to Sonja’s garden. To make an appointment for a visit or a tour, call Sonja at (306) 783-7015.
Gardens provide us with so many benefits: they give us delicious produce if we grow a vegetable garden; fragrant flowers from a cutting garden; and a visual delight with containers.
They give us a chance to be out in the fresh air; a chance to bend and stretch and move as we tend our gardens; and a beautiful place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or the precious company of friends. Gardens give children a place to play, and a place for them to experience the wonder of growing things. Gardens are miracles of creation, and we are blessed to be able to be their custodians.
As a very wise man once said, “In all things of nature there is something marvelous.” Aristotle knew the feeling of wonder and humility that a garden can bring. And isn’t this true, gardeners: “Connection with gardens, even small ones, even potted plants, can become windows to the inner life. The simple act of stopping and looking at the beauty around us can be prayer.” (Patricia R. Barrett, The Sacred Garden) What a joy it will be to be out in our gardens again! Make this the summer to visit Sonja’s garden, and the summer to create your own little paradise in your own garden!
Debbie Hayward
