THE SURVIVOR FOREST EXPERIENCE

By Jen Young

One of the sweetest ways I’ve experienced love and care recently was in being part of Joanne Kirves collaborative “Survivor Forest” project.

There are many things I want to say about this whole project. For right now I’ll begin with the deep caring and intimacy that comes from hearing and seeing someone.

I loved being on the listening end for sure, and the receiving end was several beautiful moments of growth.

Last Wednesday, I took in the tree Joanne created for me as she unveiled it in the presence of other survivors.

I immediately thought wow ...she nailed it. She heard my words and sculpted just the right piece in reflection of my writing.

That was an amazing experience in and of itself, and my follow up with this piece at home was even better.

To lay wrapped up in my blankets, to hold it and really feel the loving energy from which it was made with was more healing than I can really put into words.

I spent a lot of time looking over the details... celebrating it as I recognized things about myself in what I shared with her.

And I sat with it for a while just in appreciation for all the parts of it... the groves, the leaves, a hidden box, the scars, the places where light comes in, the branches holding the tree so lovingly.

At one point, I placed it on my abdomen... this place where I’ve often been so numb, or have felt deep aches in. Rarely love.

Well, I’ll say that as I held it there and my breath moved it up and down, I felt the energy of it in my abdomen area. Then radiating through my whole body. Like a current running through me only it didn’t exit... more like circled for a while. I just sat with it, until I was ready to find a home for the tree in my house.

For now, it’s on my desk, near the window. And when I am doing my dayto-day work, it’s sweet to look over and see a physical reminder of... giving, receiving, growth, love, resilience, care, relationship and bravery.

To lay wrapped up in my blankets, to hold it and really feel the loving energy from which it was made with was more healing than I can really put into words.

Jen’s tree in the bed.

Photo by Jen Young.