What is it Like to be a Thornbird?

By Eliza Jones-Hedrick

When you meet Lynn Twitchell at the Rose Garden, it is very evident how much she loves the Val Vista Lakes neighborhood, the residents, and especially the rose garden which she created. Residents call Lynn their “Rose Princess” because she is as sweet and beautiful as the rose garden itself. She is also a certified rosarian who has lovingly maintained the rose garden for almost 10 years.  Thornbird is the nickname Lynn affectionally calls each volunteer that she trains to maintain the rose garden.  When a Thornbird spends anytime in the rose garden, it becomes so much more than performing tasks to nurture the garden.  The rose garden nurtures the Thornbirds.

For instance, when I am at the rose garden, my frame of mind is transformed by the smells, the sights and the sounds.  The aromatherapy from the roses elevates my mood and brings peace to my soul.  There’s a certain balance, wholeness and serenity that the rose garden puts back into my life. There are days where it can easily become a spiritual experience and I find myself praying. The rose garden works on my heart and my soul. Life is beautiful at the rose garden. Caring for the roses never feels like work because it has become so restorative and therapeutic for me. I wish that every VVL resident in our community could experience a little bit of this!

Here are some experiences from some of the other Thornbird volunteers at the rose garden:

“I enjoy the early morning fragrance of the roses while remembering those who has passed on as I care for the roses to help them bloom during the hot summer” Kathy Kittelson

“As much as I enjoy learning about the roses, it is being among the roses that takes my mind off what is going on in the world. When I feel stressed and I can come to the rose garden to decompress and I can lose myself in the pure beauty of the roses. The humming of the bees helps me meditate and I feel better.” Debbie Olesky

“My stresses and worries drop away and I can really breathe at the rose garden. The natural perfume, the riotous colors of the blooms, the gentle hum and buzz of bees and praying mantis make all my senses come alive. The mental and spiritual benefits I get in exchange for volunteering at the rose garden is priceless. I will volunteer here as long as I live in VVL.” Amanda Lindquist Ozyagcilar

“I love the harmony I feel when I’m working in the garden with chirping birds, fresh sweet-smelling air, and the butterflies all around me. I experience happiness when I work in such a beautiful environment. Learning how to properly care for the roses is so rewarding when you get beautiful blooms in return. I love being part of something that contributes to beautifying our community that everyone can enjoy. I hope that everyone will stop and smell the roses.” Suzanne Harris

“I look forward to my time in the rose garden because it is so peaceful here, especially during early morning, when you can really hear the rose garden. I feel at home as it reminds me of flower gardening in my childhood. Almost every time I am here, residents fill me up with “thank yous” and compliments on the garden. Appreciation is a nice reward that you get that when you work in the rose garden.” Mary Schroeder.

If you are reading this and you are thinking to yourself “I want roses in my life as this time,” don’t delay! Just reach out to us and we will teach you how to care for the rose garden so it can bless you.” You don’t need any gardening experience, just a willingness to learn and able commit to at least one hour per week at the rose garden.