REFLECTING ON THE hymn Be Still My Soul symbolically awoke another facet of the soul as I quivered at the passing of Mark ‘Buffy’ Lashley, Paul ‘Pablo’ Mason and Mrs Risé Olalehe.
These three whom I invited into my life taught me some powerful, precious lessons and I am eternally grateful for the platinum keys they left with me. Mark is the late sexton at St Luke’s Anglican Church, while Risé and Paul were colleagues at Christ Church Foundation School.
Mark, my childhood friend, taught me humility, dedication and the art of smiling. He had a bold, magnificent smile and studies show that smiling has more than 13 health benefits.
Pablo, on the other hand, taught me how to laugh with myself and how to be fearless. He also assisted with my improved scripting of storylines because he possessed a profound gift for telling convincing stories and I keenly listened to his spirit to capture that gift. However, his supreme gift was assisting me to develop unconditional trust in the Creator.
Risé was a very quiet lady and many persons may not know, but she was extremely good to me. Whenever a secretarial crisis sprang up in my life, she taught me how to deliver kindness and unconditional love. Additionally, Risé was dependable, a motivator and demonstrated how to discreetly serve others without publicity.
This week I am dedicating a funeral wreath plant which contains many health benefits to these three departed angels in disguise. This plant goes by the name of silent doctor carnations.
On the website livestrong.com, it is noted that “carnations, also known as Dianthus caryophyllus, have long been brewed into teas that may help alleviate stress and nervousness”. Furthermore, carnations contain substances that soothe the nervous system, reduce inflammation and swelling, and can help restore natural hormonal balances in women with nervous conditions associated with hormone imbalances.
Carnations can also treat menstrual cramps, endometriosis, insomnia, skin rashes, wrinkles, rosacea, eczema, nausea, chest congestion and can improve circulation.
The website carnationflowerimages.blogspot.com reveals that “carnations have been used in medicine to help reduce fever and pain, in addition to the improvement of the liver, stomach and the health of the heart”. You must research the other health benefits of carnations.
Finally, the next time you attend a funeral, observe the medicinal plants that make up a wreath, then ask yourself why are flowers historically laid on graves.
I say goodbye to Mark, Paul and Risé. May they rest in the hands of the Great Architect of the Universe until we meet.
Go and empower yourself by drinking a warm cup of carnation tea.
Annette Maynard-Watson, a teacher and herbal educator, may be contacted via silentdoctors@gmail.com or by telephone 250-6450.
DISCLAIMER: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempts to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direction of your health care provider.
