Andreas Chrysafis had to deal with a pain no one wishes to handle, the loss of your beloved, and he has found some solace in helping create something in his wife’s honour: a rose garden at her hospital.
The author/artist/writer put the story into words of his wife Eva’s struggles with terminal pancreatic cancer, with the beautiful image of a rose providing brief joy to her amid her struggles.
The full story is recounted by Chrysafis and reads as follows:
“Let me tell you a story that may bring tears to your eyes. It’s not just any story— it’s a deeply human story that touches the hearts of those who care. It is a tale of sorrow, institutional neglect, social apathy, negligence and the failure of those in authority to act.
My wife, Eva Sousanna, was diagnosed with terminal pancreas cancer. Two months ago, she was admitted to our local community hospital in Polis Chrysochous.
She received excellent care and attention by the dedicated nursing staff and doctors. But sadly, Eva Sousanna could not survive her illness. No power in the world could have saved her; not even God could do that! And so, she suffered until the very end!
Eva could no longer walk—she had become so weak—but with my help, she could manage a few steps at a time. A week before she passed away I managed to walk her to the sunroom adjacent to the main ward.
We looked outside the glass window and were both shocked! There lay an overgrown, dry, scorched garden— chocked with weeds! It looked like it hadn’t been tended or touched for years and was purposely allowed to die.
No authority had taken the initiative to care for it. It was heart breaking to see that such neglect could exist in a public hospital. No one seemed to care; not the staff, the doctors or those in charge! Apathy reign supreme!
While we stood there in disbelief, Eva turned and pointed to the far end of the garden:
“Look Andreas…look at that beautiful red flower, I think it’s a rose”, she said, and got all excited. For the first time in a long while, I saw her happy with full of smiles at the sight of that single red rose blooming amidst the lifeless dry weeds.
Two day later, we returned to the same spot. I noticed Eva seemed unsettled and her eyes scanning the scorched earth. She was searching to see that beautiful red rose again when she said to me:
“Look Andreas… that beautiful flower has died,” she murmured.
I looked at her, and my heart broke —standing beside me was my own beautiful flower, and she, too, was also dying! I was emotionally devastated and in near tears.
Right then, I gave her a kiss on the forehead and made her a promise. No matter the cost, I would ensure that beautiful red roses would bloom again in that hospital garden—so patients, nurses, and doctors will admire flowers full of life and not dead ones.
Three day later, Eva Susanna passed away. But a promise is a promise!
Today, a beautiful Rose Garden blooms at Polis Hospital brought back to life in memory of Eva Susanna. She inspired me to act and do the right thing!
It will bring peace and joy to those visiting Eva’s “Rose Garden” or the existing small chapel there for many years to come in the future…”
