THE MAGICAL GARDEN
In June 2005 my husband enrolled me on a 'Flying without Fear' course with Virgin Airways at Gatwick Airport. I hadn't flown for over 20 years and he was a little tired of holidaying in France! It was an emotional and intensive day! Starting at 9am we were bombarded with facts by experienced pilots, psychologists and ex 'flyaphobics' who apparently can't get enough of a 737!. With only a short break for lunch and with the dreaded test flight drawing ever nearer, any reasons (legitimate or otherwise) that we had for NOT flying had by then been very clearly eradicated by the experts. Half an hour to the Isle of Wight and back reinforced the theory that it can be fun! As a result of the course I am now a 'flier' although not altogether comfortable with the experience. We were given a tape on the day in which you are asked to imagine a beautiful garden. Whenever the panic takes over you revisit that garden in your mind and all will be well.
The painting is 6 x 4 feet and executed in oils on canvas. I was due to fly to Cork on a day when I was engrossed in the painting was very nearly late for the flight. Now when I 'feel the fear', instead of gripping the seat with more force than a pair of wrenches, I visit my Magical Garden. I imagine re-painting it and know every detail and colour in my mind as clearly as if it were in front of me.