Greif of a loved one can be unbearable. The notion, “I wish I could talk to them one more time” can consume one's thoughts.

 

A wind phone (also known as the Phone of the Wind) is an “unconnected” telephone that provides a way to have conversations with deceased loved ones. It’s possibly more connected than the iPhone you carry around in your pocket because this phone provides a bridge to unseen worlds.

 

The original wind phone is located in Japan; created by Itaru Sasaki, a garden designer, in 2010. Sasaki constructed the telephone booth and the wind phone to help him cope with his cousin’s death. In 2011, it was opened to the public after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami killed over 15,000 people in the region. Less than a dozen replicas have been constructed around the world, including this inspired version at SHINE.

 

Bringing this wind phone to life was a collaboration between SHINE’s founder, Cortney Martinelli and one of her dearest friends, Ted Senf. In a matter of a few weeks, Cortney lost her grandma, Elizabeth Zarle and Ted lost his mother, Doloris Senf to causes of old age. During this time, the two friends were inspired by these two brilliant and vibrant women to provide an avenue for others to hold meaningful conversations with their deceased loved ones.

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The Phone of the Wind sits in a meager wooden structure that butts up against the east end of the Light House next to the parking area and can be visited during business hours. SHINE’s Education Center (aka the Light House) is located at 5190 Cline Rd Kent Ohio.