Preface

Why I Wrote this Story:

Test of Strength in a Double Crisis

In the early morning of May 16, 2020, glorious sunshine bathed my workspace and kitchen area. Typhoon Ambo was gone. It had been raining that night and flooded some parts of the country.

I took the chance to check my plants by the window sill. I fixed the displaced plants in small containers. I removed the debris carried by the gusts of wind that went through the open slats of our windows.

In the neighborhood, a familiar couple walked up the steps. I heard heavy breathing accompanied by coughing. They reached the landing outside our closed backdoor. They usually stop at that spot after a steep ascent. 

For the past few days, I did not hear the usual chattering of the children as they passed by. The COVID-19 restrictions did not allow them to go out of their houses. That pathway is no longer as busy as before. The virus made drastic changes and I can feel a foreboding effect.  

I spooned ground coffee beans from the old Tupperware container. The scent went right into my nostrils. It was a terrific wake-up smell. As I poured hot water into my coffee press, I heard the iron latch of our gate open. I sensed my mama went through our door. She was talking in a high pitch as if angry with me. But then I heard her shuffling back up again to her house. 

I savored my coffee. As I breathed in the steam, I heard mama coming down again and already at our door. This time, she was humming a tune. I sipped my coffee and cupped my mug to warm my hands. Mama walked about our living room. She touched and talked to my flowers. Mama’s illness manifested in intense mood swings that were far beyond anything I’d anticipated. 

These were the usual happenings during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. I found myself facing two significant challenges. The world was grappling with a novel virus. At the same time, in my world, I became the primary caregiver for my mother. Her Neurologist diagnosed her with Alzheimer’s disease.

Facing Alzheimer’s and 

Pandemic as a Family

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder. It affected memory and cognitive abilities. My mother battled with this condition. It was heart-wrenching to see her this way.

The weight of this dual crisis was challenging. The pandemic had forced us all into lock down. It was a collective experience filled with isolation and uncertainty. But within the confines of our home, amid the chaos of a world in crisis, I stumbled upon a glimmer of hope and healing.

The Hype of Plants during the Pandemic

The news of the virus loomed over us. The days became a blur of anxiety. With the isolation of people in their houses, there was a growing hype. Getting nature indoors escalated. 

The world rediscovered its fascination with plants. Tending to green life became a therapeutic escape. People started nurturing gardens on their windowsills, balconies, or backyards. The allure of houseplants and gardening grew. It was not a pastime but a lifeline for mental and emotional well-being.

I saw this emerging phenomenon as an opportunity. It struck me that my ailing mother and I could discover comfort in the world of plants.

My mother took immense joy in tending to plants. She had her outdoor garden in her house. She brought home rescued plant cuttings and native wildflowers she hoped to nurture.

How Gardening became 
our Pandemic Refuge

Stuck in the house because of the restrictions, we embarked on a shared journey. Together, we nurtured plants in containers, cultivating our indoor garden.

This experience fostered a connection with nature. It was deep, surpassing any expectations I had ever held. I was doing a focused activity with my mama. This time, I was taking the lead. She had always sacrificed her needs and tried to do everything for her children.

The act of nurturing these living beings offered my mama and me refuge. It was soothing to do watering, pruning, and watching new leaves unfurl. They brought a sense of stability.

It was in the quiet companionship of these plants that we found a therapeutic sanctuary. It helped us manage the stress and uncertainties brought on by the pandemic and illness.

The plants became her silent allies. They stood as symbols of resilience, hope, and growth in adversity. They filled her heart with joy and brought back pleasant memories.

She would collect stones of peculiar shapes to add to her plant containers. They were a testament to the beauty that could flourish even amid chaos. The simple act of tending to these living plants became a source of strength and reassurance. It was a reminder that we all continue to thrive and endure. It is an affirmation of the power of nature to heal and nurture.

It bound our moments together with uncompromising peace. It was a reminder that even during the darkest times, life had a way of blossoming. It offered hope through the toughest of challenges.

A Journey of Healing

In September 2020, my son and his family visited us to celebrate his birthday. He observed the profusion of plants that had taken over every available shelf in our home. My son suggested that I turn to building terrariums instead.

He reminded us of our occasional struggles with allergies. The soil and plants in open receptacles trigger these allergic reactions. The idea of containing these plants within transparent enclosures was logical.

It was the moment that ignited my dedication to building terrariums. It set the stage

for a new challenge in our gardening journey.

My mother required a consistent source of inspiration. It could tether her to the present. Her memory loss was progressing, posing a daily challenge.

I sought to maintain the art of terrarium crafting as an evolving project to engage her. It provides a thread for our ongoing dialogue. It was a bridge in our ongoing conversation. It was a tangible activity that brought us joy and a sense of connection amidst the challenges.

There were struggles as we started building the terrariums. The plants inside perished. To keep my mother inspired, I embarked on my research. I experimented on how to build self-sustaining terrariums in small recycled containers. She could grasp the small jar to observe the thriving nature. The excitement of observing the plants in enclosures kept us connected.

Within two years of working on our project, my mother
moved to an assisted living facility. Sadly, she transitioned to the next life on July 19, 2022. She left our enclosed ecosystem unfinished.

She forgot all about our plants in her final days. In her memory, I persisted in building terrariums that would thrive. That was important as I could feel her joy in each terrarium. My heart would beat in rhythm with those happy memories. I felt joy with the happy thoughts as we drank our coffee together and giggled like little girls.

The Unexpected Power of 
Tiny Self-Sustaining Worlds

The quest to create self-sustaining miniature gardens consumed me. I did not stop until I mastered the art. I found solace in the simplicity of these tiny natural worlds.

I wake up in the morning refreshed to see the plants in my terrariums thriving. I would stare at the unfurling leaves and the green moss creeping out of the corners of their enclosure. They have been flourishing and self-sustaining for more than two years now and counting.

Seeing nature in these containers is a testament that I

was able to fulfill the completion of a cycle. With it, I was able to process my grieving. I built my emotional fortress that facilitated the dynamics of reflection and action.

From Cluttered Shelves 
to Terrarium Mastery

I have more than three hundred small terrariums on my shelves. I am also nurturing more than a thousand small plants for my enclosures. My terrarium and my art and craft creations cluttered our house. On top of that are my notes, page compilations, and books everywhere.

I decided that I already had my formula for building nature in glass. I compiled my notes. I started writing to
put together my documentation.

 

So, I started the draft of my manuscript. I organized my notes with each chapter. Within these pages, I share my process.

This book, “Nature in Glass” is my story of healing and creative productivity. It is a guide to creating your thriving terrariums. I present my initial explorations to developing self-sustaining designs. I share this journey with you. It contains the lessons learned, my advocacies for the environment, and my spirituality.

A Comprehensive Guide to Terrariums, Wellness, and Environmental Advocacy

Embark on a journey to wellness with this book. Explore the therapeutic world of terrariums. 

Learn how to recycle or reuse containers. This newfound connection to nature will spark a desire to understand biodiversity. 

As you delve deeper, environmental education and spiritual exploration naturally follow. Perhaps, this newfound passion will blossom into a budding business.

Writing about it was the most fulfilling part – a journey of personal growth and a deepened commitment to the environment.

Do you crave solace and growth during challenging times? Discover the magic of nature encased in glass. Join my terrarium and writing journey!