Nurtured by Nature

My husband, Ralph, panicked when he couldn’t catch his breath—one of the scarier features of COPD. “I can’t breathe,” he’d gasped in fear, suddenly sitting up on the couch. We were both anxious. I quickly gave him his inhalers and guided him through slow, deep breathing. “One, two, three . . .” I counted out loud, while inwardly praying, God, please help us through this moment.

Then I had an idea. “Let’s sit outside,” I told Ralph. The air quality was good that day, and there was a cool, pleasant breeze. Although he was still weak and shaken, I led him outside with his portable oxygen machine. We sat in chairs beneath the tree in our backyard and watched maple leaves gently sway above us. We saw a handsome cardinal bathe in the bird bath, and two squirrels with bushy tails play a game of chase. My husband smiled and breathed easier. His anxiety had markedly lessened.

Now, whether sitting in the backyard, sitting in front of a window or visiting a park, we’ve made the natural world a regular part of Ralph’s healing care. And mine too.