Wildflower Omen

I’m walking down a sterile hallway in the hospital, trying to find Tarn’s room after her visit to the emergency room. The healthcare staff had advised me to go home and get a few hours of sleep during which they moved her to a different location. As I stroll through the long hallway, something catches my eye. In an alcove near the entrance to the short-stay facility, a photograph graces the wall. It’s a beautiful close-up of bitterroot flowers in full bloom—Tarn’s and my favorite wildflower. The photo seems to say, “Everything will be okay. She’s right around the corner, waiting for you.”

I find Tarn sleeping in a dimly lit corner of a room that appears to have been repurposed into a space for four patients, separated by curtains. Sitting with her, watching over her, and loving her in such a setting feels surreal. Soon, a physician with expertise in brain health visits us and provides us with an update on Tarn’s condition. She candidly yet kindly discusses the possible courses of action. The medical aspects of the situation are very complicated.

The doctor has a compassionate presence, and we sense a kinship with her. Out of the blue, I ask her about her connection with nature and share about the photo of bitterroot flowers just outside. She is moved by the synchronicity of the story. Now the relationship changes—no longer just doctor, patient, and loved one. We talk of Buddhism, spirituality, and the natural world. She is grateful to have a conversation other than medicine, and Tarn is happy for the diversion.

As our exchange deepens, we discover we are walking common ground. I present her with a copy of my book, titled “Wildflower Song,” which features bitterroot flowers on its cover. She seems quite touched. When she gets up to go, she turns and quietly mouths the words, “Thank you.” The doctor is obviously the right person at the right time to be with us in our time of deep concern, and we all feel the energy of an auspicious connection. This was all foreshadowed by the good omen of a wildflower photo in a hospital hallway.

By the way, Tarn is doing just fine. We will be monitoring the situation, but she seems to have passed the crisis. She is back to quilting, ice skating, teaching young people to sew, and we will be dancing among the bitterroot flowers when they next bloom.