Friendship Garden
BETH HARRISON AND DANA ROMSDAL HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR DECADES . Even when the pandemic forced them to be apart , it was no match for the close friendship that bolsters them during even challenging times . “ Beth gives from her heart , she really does care about others in so many ways ,“ Dana said .
In 2020 , however , new rules at nursing homes because of COVID-19 kept Dana and her sister , Kirsten Romsdal , physically away from their mother , Barbara Romsdal . “ In the beginning , the only way we could visually see her on the third floor was by walking up the stairs to the second floor and looking through windows , which we did for her 94th birthday ,“ Dana said . “ We took some balloons and waved them around .“ The Garden Isle Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center , located at Wilcox Medical Center , did create options so that they could visit , but they still felt disconnected . Dana would often sing to her mom while signing the words to her sister , who is hearing impaired . That was something they couldn ‘ t do from far away . “ Eventually we got to see her from a distance ,“ Dana said , “ but I remember mom said , ‘ I want to cry . I miss you so much .‘ “
Beth Harrison visiting the Healing Garden she funded with a donation to the Wilcox Health Foundation .
Beth sympathized with Dana and her family ; their situation was something she could personally relate to .
“ I had a mother who was in a nursing home setting ,“ Beth said . “ My mom still needed the outside stimulation to give her something to live for . I can ‘ t imagine what it was like for Dana ‘ s mother . I just knew we needed to do something .“
Beth thought about it a lot . Then an idea came to her in a dream . Beth envisioned a meeting space where families could safely get together and made a donation to Wilcox Medical Center to build an outdoor option for families on the first floor . Her contribution created the Healing Garden at Wilcox , a paved walkway that connects to an outdoor gazebo where loved ones can meet for 20 minutes in fresh air surrounded by tropical flowers .
“ I was just blown away by [ Beth ‘ s ] generosity ,“ said Bronson Ho , administrator for Garden Isle Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center . “ The pandemic definitely affected our residents . We tried to help as much as we could with video chats , window visits and phone calls but nothing can ever replace family contact . Now the gazebo is just a more private , intimate and soothing environment for families . It ‘ s typically booked all day .“
As an added gift , the gazebo was completed just in time for the holidays . The first scheduled visits started at Christmas .
“ We were able to show Mom all of the Christmas cards and bring her flowers . I think it helped to boost her spirits to just see us visually ,“ Dana said . “ I had no idea Beth was behind this .“
The feeling of gratitude adds to the strong bond that has linked these two women for decades and now has created a place for other Kaua ‘ i families to find joy .
“ It ‘ s one of the first major donations that I ‘ ve made that affects me personally ,“ Beth said . “ I know someone who is benefitting from this . I ‘ ve known Dana for over 30 years and her mother for at least 15 years . It ‘ s about giving back .“
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