Pick up a phone, talk to a lost loved one.
It's an idea originating from Japan that has now landed at a Vernon nature centre.
The North Okanagan Hospice Society (NOHS) has installed a Wind Phone at the beautiful Allan Brooks Nature Centre, thoughtfully placed beside the Norah Foord Pond Learning Centre.
The Wind Phone is a quiet, reflective space where visitors can pick up a phone and speak to loved ones who have passed, those far away, or anyone they carry in their heart.
Originally created in Japan, the Wind Phone is not connected to any service — instead, it offers a symbolic way to express grief, remembrance, and connection through spoken words.
Though the phone is not connected, it serves as a powerful symbol of connection, healing, and release — offering comfort in the act of speaking aloud what is often left unsaid.
“This space is a gentle invitation for people to connect with their emotions and memories in a way that feels safe, private, and supported by nature,” said Megan Cox, executive director of NOHS. “At Hospice, we believe in honouring every part of the grief journey — and the Wind Phone is a meaningful way to support that journey beyond our walls and into the community.”
The Wind Phone is open to all and can be visited during Allan Brooks Nature Centre’s regular hours. Surrounded by the peaceful setting of the Norah Foord Pond, it provides a natural and serene environment for anyone seeking a moment of quiet connection.
"The installation of the Wind Phone reflects NOHS’s continued commitment to providing compassionate grief and bereavement support throughout the North Okanagan," said Cox. "Not only for those who have received hospice care, but for the broader community as well."
