"You do not have to be good." Those words, from the Mary Oliver poem Wild Geese, stopped me dead in my tracks four years ago. You do not have to be good. I was the wife of a soldier who had been diagnosed with an operational stress injury. Even though his trauma had occurred years earlier, in 2021 his personality, his patience and all of his interactions with the people and environment around him changed in a matter of months following his formal diagnosis. In the following y

It all started with a conversation. Last year, I had the privilege of chatting with Elaine Waddington-Lamont, Erin Kinsey and Lynn Kennedy of the Women Warriors Healing Garden in Ottawa. Founded in 2015, WWHG offers women and 2SLGBTQIA++ veterans a chance to reconnect with themselves and with nature through farm-based therapy, beekeeping and creative, hands-on experiences. I learned that what they had created was more than a garden: It was a place of restoration, connectio

Finding time for self-care and connection can feel like a daunting task. Many of us are juggling responsibilities, whether it’s work, family, or personal commitments, leaving little room for nurturing our well-being. This is where our workshops come in. They are designed not just to promote wellness but also to foster meaningful connections among participants. The Importance of Wellness and Connection Wellness is more than just the absence of illness; it encompasses physical,

Community gardens are living spaces that foster community, promote sustainability and empower individuals. There She Grows Healing Garden also offers a sense of safety, self-reliance and belonging for women who have dedicated their lives to service, either as members of the military, military spouses or first responders. By donating to our healing garden, you can support these women who have contributed so much to their community. The Importance of Community Gardens Community

Not all recovery happens in a clinic. For many women who have worked in roles of service—veterans, first responders, and those who support them—healing can begin in quieter places. A garden. A shared task. Time spent with animals. Spaces where the nervous system can settle, and where participation replaces pressure. Peer-reviewed research supports what many already feel: horticultural therapy can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress, improve mood, and strengthen social c