CONVERSATIONS IN THE GARDEN
a NEW LIMITED EDITION EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 12PM ET ON MANIFOLD THROUGHOUT AUGUST
Before I tell you about Conversations in the Garden, let me tell you a little backstory on what inspired it…
Trigger Warning: This blog post touches on grief, loss, and suicide which can be heavy for some readers. Resources are listed at the end if you need support.
About a month ago, an acquaintance (shout out to Kathy, my downstairs neighbor) told me about a nearby church with a beautiful garden open to the public, pets included. Having recently gotten a puppy (I love you, Cannoli), I thought it would be nice to take him somewhere green and peaceful. The first time I brought Cannoli to the garden, I knew it would become a regular part of our walking route, and it has since become an oasis from the concrete of New York.
Since discovering this secret garden, I’ve experienced a multitude of omens and had many conversations with a close friend I lost earlier this year. It got to the point where I knew it couldn’t just be coincidences—these were clear messages from Steven. I visit the garden almost every day, and it has brought me so much comfort.
This garden, and the divine energy I’ve connected to there, is the inspiration for my most recent series, Conversations in the Garden.
Lately, most of my work has been heavy and dark, often rooted in pain, which can make creating feel draining. But with this series, I’ve felt a shift—more hope, more reassurance. It’s as if Steven is on the other side, reminding me not to take life so seriously. To find peace and beauty in the world around me—in people, in nature, in art, and in the small moments. I believe this lighter energy is reflected in the pieces I’ve created.
While the art in this series feels playful and new, certain aspects of pain come through as well, particularly in motifs like the teardrops. There’s an underlying sense of the pain we carry throughout our healing—a journey that never really ends. Stars are another important symbol in this series, signifying guidance from above and reminding me that Steven’s energy is still out there.
The first piece in this series is titled “an everlasting moment with the rose bush.” Every time I enter the garden, I sit on this old wooden bench across from a small, yet beautiful rose bush; in the center is a religious figure holding more roses. After some research, I found that this was a statue of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, a canonized French nun known for her devotion to performing even the smallest acts with great love, which I choose to believe is also a reminder from Steven. I feel an overwhelming sense of comfort as I stare into the roses. Steven once gave me a rose, and after he passed away, I saw them everywhere I turned. Every time I visit the garden, it’s like I’m getting a rose from him again.
the secret garden
Part of me is unsure if I should share the other omens I’ve received in the garden. On one hand, they feel like personal gifts I want to keep just for myself. On the other hand, I find it important to share the process of dealing with grief and the beauty of realizing the people we love never really leave us. Sometimes I think only two people read my blog posts anyway, so it feels more like my personal journal and I tend to overshare, so here we go.
One of the first times I visited the garden, I walked over to the little box full of books—you know, the ones where you can leave a book and take a book. I reached in, and the very first book I picked up was about grief after losing someone to suicide, which is how Steven passed away. I felt like that was a gift from him, something to help me in the process of healing from his absence. This was just one of many signs I’ve received from the secret garden. While there is no way to bring Steven back to earth, these small omens have given me profound peace and acceptance, reminding me that his energy is still very much with us.
Now, for the details of this series…
MORE DETAILS:
When: every wednesday at 12 pm et throughout the month of august
What: limited edition art (10 per week)
where: manifold
price: 0.02 eth (currently around $50)
bonus: collect one edition each week and there might be a reward… more on that later
Mental Health Resources:
Suicide & Crisis Hotline: Free and confidential support is available in the U.S. by calling or texting 988.
Befrienders Worldwide: Free and confidential support available globally.
Crisis Text Line: Provides free, 24/7 text support for people in crisis. Text HELLO to 741741 in the U.S., 686868 in Canada, or 85258 in the UK and Ireland.
International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP): Offers a directory of suicide prevention hotlines and resources around the world.
Please know there are people who love you and are here for you. You are not alone.