Weekly, I shine a light on the story of a beautifully created and placed Wind Phone. Sharing our stories makes a difference because it's in the telling that we connect and heal. To not cloud the Wind Phone creator's message, the format for Featured Phones is to share their answers to the interview questions verbatim.
This week's Featured Phone is located in East Nashville, Tennessee: created by Allison Stillwell Young. She is dedicated to helping her patients and their families while pursuing her Master's degree in Thanatology (the science and study of death and dying from multiple perspectives—medical, physical, psychological, spiritual, ethical etc.) . What an amazing gift that she’s given her community! Thank you, Allison, for sharing the story of your phone with us.
Where is your Wind Phone located?
In my front yard at 1425 Rosebank Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206, United States. It is easily seen from the road and has a sign pointing to it as well.
Why did you choose this location?
I wanted it close so I could keep it up well and have less of a chance of people stealing things from or damaging it than if it were on public property. So far, we haven’t had any issues thankfully. It’s also a relatively high traffic area, especially people on foot or cycling, because we live next to a popular nature preserve. We have plenty of off-street parking for visitors as well.
What year and month did you place your Wind Phone at this location?
4 February 2023, the 24th anniversary of my grandpa’s death (and then 6 February was when my Pa died, and I dedicated a Little Free Library to him – it’s next to the wind telephone booth).
Is your Wind Phone dedicated or in memory of someone special?
It is dedicated to both of my paternal grandparents, Dotti and Glen Stillwell. There is a plaque inside the wind phone. Grandma was truly the best person I’ve ever met in my life – it’s an honor to be her granddaughter, and I miss her every day. I wear her jewelry on bad days, have her wedding set as my engagement ring, and keep a vial of her perfume – her last words were to me, and they were ‘I love you’. I didn’t know Grandpa as well because he died when I was 13, but all of my memories are positive ones – the last thing he said before aphasia from Alzheimer’s was my sister’s name because she was interrupting me playing piano for him. I also thought of some of my patients while.
I worked on it, especially D-V and D-D.
Do you have any advice for someone thinking of creating a Wind Phone?
It doesn't have to be elaborate as long as it's coming from the heart. We had no idea what we were doing when we started but it eventually just came together. We didn't ever think anyone but us would use it but we are so happy that it has helped others.
Do you have any advice for someone thinking of creating a Wind Phone?
It is truly rewarding. I’m lucky in that a documentary was made about my wind phone, and I got to actually hear what people say in the booth. I cried constantly when I watched it. Between that and notes that I receive, it makes me feel like I’ve really done something needed.
Is there anything you’d like to share that I didn’t think of asking?
Just a little bit about me – I have been a cancer research nurse for 13 years. Instead of becoming an NP, I decided to go into thanatology to benefit my patients, their families, and my coworkers. I present on thanatology topics at nursing conferences and have been published in one journal. My master’s in thanatology capstone literature review and website are on continuing bonds, the material culture of death, and alternative grieving methods including the use of wind telephones. The website is http://switchboard.support, and it will have easy-to-read education on thanatological topics as well as a weekly blog post on the same. It also has pictures and information about wind phones my friends and I have visited, and Amy has been instrumental in the development of this section by connecting me to people or getting more details about locations!
I'd love to feature your phone! You can find all the information here to submit your Wind Phone.
Please note that visiting a Wind Phone location is at your own risk. We (My Wind Phone) cannot and do not assume responsibility for your visit. See our Terms and Conditions. here to submit your Wind Phone.
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