Healing Images, by Joan Schreiner I think when we are ill and most vulnerable there is an innate tendency to retreat from our man-made world back to a more natural environment. Nature, in all it's various forms, seems to have soothing, healing properties which reduce stress and allow us to reconnect to the things we most value in life. Following my stem cell transplant for recurrent breast cancer, I often retreated to the antique apple orchard my husband and I own in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I spent many an hour sitting quietly among the apples, hands pressed firmly against the earth hoping to draw silent strength from those fertile grounds. My work as an amateur photographer has also focused largely on nature. The series shown here, which will change at regular intervals, was taken this spring at Pt. Lobos State Park following a 2nd and paricularly frightening recurrence. In selecting these images, I noticed some common themes; paths which lead off to some distant and unknown place, living trees juxtaposed against more powerful elements, a squirrel who has momentarily let his guard down and so become more vulnerable. I hope you have similar elements in your environment that create a sense of peace and connectedness for you. J.S.
			Copyright © 2007 Bay Area Breast Cancer Network. All rights reserved. [Home] [Weâre Here] [Breast Health] [News & Views] [Voices] [Make a Difference]