FARGO — There are many of you who’ve lost loved ones and then wonder ‘I wish I would’ve ….’
Now, at the Fargo Garden of Healing near Scheels Arena, an opportunity to pick up the phone and say what’s on your mind.
Some call it a “hotline,” to others, it’s the “Phone in the Wind.”
Set softly off to the side at the Garden of Healing, among the fall perennials blooming, small stone pillars create this new intimate space.
An old school payphone.
“Yesterday, I was here and there was a butterfly that would not leave me alone. It landed on the phone and I know it was my son, Cameron,” said Sarah Fisher, the Garden of Healing founder.
A hotline to call someone, somewhere.
“Almost everyone we talk to says they can remember something they wanted to say to that last person,” Fisher said.
Sarah and Arlin Fisher added this to their Garden of Healing, built after the loss of son, Cameron Bolton, in a car accident in 2018.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of healing you need, you find it here,” Sarah Fisher said.
The Forde family of West Fargo and their organization “Enough with the Stigma” have added tokens with a 988 stamp. Ron and Karla Forde know loss and grief don’t take a break after losing a child.
“That was our first thought, we need to do something so others don’t have to go through this,” Karla Forde said.
“He was very outgoing, determined,” Karla said of their son, Connor, who died by suicide at Christmas three years ago. “Just a 26-year old trying to figure out the world and something got a little heavy one night.”
Phones like this are scattered throughout the country but this one just seems to fit. A quiet place, confidential and private. A chance for anyone to reach out and speak what’s on their hearts and minds into a phone.
Sarah Fisher, finding comfort by speaking with a son she lost seven years ago.
“Hi Cameron, this is me, mom,” Sarah said into the phone, her voice breaking.
Grieving feels different with time.
“I sure do miss you,” she added.
It just never leaves.
“And I will talk to you soon, I love you, Cameron,” Sarah said as she hung up the phone.
The Garden of Healing will host a special ribbon cutting for the “Phone in the Wind” project Monday afternoon, Sept. 22, at 4 p.m.
Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
Kevin Wallevand has been a reporter at WDAY-TV since 1983. He is a native of Vining, Minnesota in Otter Tail County. His series and documentary work have brought him to Africa, Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, South America, Mongolia, Juarez,Mexico and the Middle East. He is an multiple Emmy and national Edward R. Murrow award recipient.
Reach Kevin at kwallevand@wday.com or 701-241-5317
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