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New ‘Wind Phone’ In Cantonment ‘Connects’ Grieving Families With Deceased Loved Ones
November 13, 2024
Phones have always been the way for grieving to connect with loved ones that they have lost.
Near the back of the demonstration garden at the Escambia County Extension Office at 3740 Stefani Road now sits an old rotary phone in a wooden box. It’s in a quiet space, with a bench under the trees. Just the sounds of nature and a few nearby wind chimes.
It’s known as a wind phone. It will never ring. No wires, no service, no cell signal, no Wi-Fi. It’s a rotary phone, that’s connected to nothing, except the wind.
“It is connected by love to everywhere and nowhere,” the sign inside the wooden box with an old rotary phone says. “Let the wind carry your words to them.”
Jennifer Bartok carefully dialed a number Tuesday morning, as a light misty rain fell, and occasional big drops fell from the surrounding trees. When she finishes dialing, she steps back and pauses, holding the phone cord.
“Hello Alana,” she said. She sits down on a nearby bench, next to an azalea, with a variety name that’s perhaps appropriate — Autumn Angel. There’s also an angel statue nearby.
“I miss you, and please watch over everybody that comes and uses this wind phone to connect with their loved ones,” Jennifer says to Alana, “that didn’t have a chance to say goodbye like me.”
Jennifer never had that chance to say goodbye to her 17-year-old daughter Alana. On April 10, 2022, Alana passed away in a car crash that was no fault of her own when another driver ran a redlight. Jennifer never had that chance to tell Alana goodbye.
Wind phones came to be in Japan after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that suddenly claimed nearly 20,000 people…people that loved ones were not able to tell goodbye. With a wind phone, which lost loved one is somehow there, on the other end of the line. It’s the only wind phone within hours of Pensacola. That prompted Jennifer to find a location for Cantonment’s very own wind phone.
“I could not find one within a five-hour drive,” she said. “You get to say goodbye, and the wind will carry your message to the people you never got to say goodbye to. That’s why this is being donated in my daughter’s Alana Grace’s Galloping Foundation in her honor, and hopefully it helps some people say goodbye.”
“I miss you,” Jennifer said before ending her wind phone conversation with Alana, taking a deep breath as her voice started to quiver. “Keep looking over your grandpa Ron and give him a kiss for me. darling.”
Somehow the longest of long-distance calls provides a bit of inexplicable solace. There’s no sense to call from a phone connected to nothing. But as people speak grief to the wind offers a connection that heals.
I’ll be honest; it was a little awkward for this first time using it this morning with people around, ” she said. “But I do think if I came here by myself and sat down, I’d probably be emotional, and I would feel a sense of peace and connection.”
That’s the point of whispers in the wind. If you listen, you’ll hear more than just the rustling of the trees.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
10 Responses to “New ‘Wind Phone’ In Cantonment ‘Connects’ Grieving Families With Deceased Loved Ones”
That’s really what prayer does though our loved ones may have passed the Bible teaches our loved ones or friends possibly still hear us. Naturally nobody knows just what happens when we die truly but I’d like to view my godly grandmother and my world was my strong Christian father and I’d hope he’s with Granny his mom and can hear so to speak my prayers to them. I always ask this when I’m disgruntled with life… Why does God always take the best people in our lives and leave behind the mean or not close relatives who may tend to beat you down verbally or actually. I used to say when little, “God don’t take the good ones. Leave them for me/us a little while longer.” Didn’t seem to be heard, though.
I have a wind phone in my backyard in Cantonment. After a good friend passed, my husband put a wall phone in our backyard over a bench so I could still talk to her. It’s since been used to talk to my dad, who passed a year and a half ago.
What a beautiful thing to help ease pain and tragedy. I’m sure your daughter is proud of you for doing this. She was a radiant light in this dark world and you’re helping ensure her light continues to shine.
From one mom to another, I am so sorry.
Thank you.
Thank you for bringing this to our area. This is such a wonderful way to help grieving children and adults.❤️
I lost my momma next month will be one year and as the month approaches it’s gets harder.. I cry everyday to and from work. I love this I will be making a visit. This is a wonderful thought. ❤️
When my sisters and I were kids and we wouldn’t mind my sweet Grandmother who never said a mean thing in her life; she would say “You’ll miss me when I’m gone.” That always did the trick. We hugged her and did whatever she asked of us. I will be calling her on the Wind phone to tell her she was so right. Lovely idea for a phone to Heaven.
Beautiful sentiment. I’m sure it will be used often.
Very emotional just reading this. Thank you
I love this idea so much. I may have to make the drive to use it myself. Thank you for sharing your story and this gift with everyone.
This is such a gift to so many who still need to say goodbye. We cope in our own way and this will give us another choice for dealing with our grief. Thank you Jennifer!