Wings Spaces encompasses the greater theme of creating
sacred space which can soothe and heal, recognizing that the spirit and mind
need opportunity for healing and growth.
Sacred space is a place which invites reflection, contemplation and
spiritual openness. It is generally
found in inviting spaces and can be an antidote to all that is superficial and
frenzied.
In 2001, the non-profit organization, Healing Environments, chose
Wings Cancer Foundation as one of two annual projects to help design our
physical environment into a sacred, healing space. Through their collaboration with Wings and
donation of art and antiques, they were instrumental in the initial creation of
these healing spaces.
At the East Memphis location, the Wings Resource Center is a
warm, inviting room that holds a Lending Library, is used by patients and
families as a quiet place for reading, rest, and meditation, and also for
support group meetings. It also holds a
Memory Garden, a space where family and friends may leave special mementos in memory of their loved ones. Other healing space includes the Wings
Gallery which holds a collection of art that is rotated every 6 weeks and is
created by cancer survivors, family members and caregivers. Outside the door of the Resource Center is the
Labyrinth Garden which is open to the entire community 7 days a week. The labyrinth is a 1/3 mile meditative walk
and may be used for many reasons including meditation, prayer, peace and
healing as well as release. In addition to individual use and formal walks,
patients frequently choose to mark the completion of chemo by inviting friends
and families for a celebration on the labyrinth.