By: Isaiah Showell, Follow South Jersey Multimedia Journalist/’What’s Good’ Host
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Stephen and Anaija Head lost their brother and father, Mustafa, and they’ve channeled their grief into a community space that promotes healing and togetherness.
Muh’s Garden of Life opened over the weekend with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Atlantic City. Located at 818 N. Maryland Ave. in Atlantic City, the garden is a public space where community members can place flowers or other plants along with a name tag of their deceased family members or friends.
“Anybody can put their loved one in Muh’s Garden of Life,” Stephen Head said. “This is a place of healing — a serene spot. It’s mental and healing. Without honor, you can’t get healing. People don’t honor the dead. When I say ‘honor the dead,’ go check up on that man’s mother. Go check up on that man’s son. Honor them, and you’ll get your healing.”
When the garden opened over the weekend, more than 70 people had already planted a flower, tree, or other plant to honor their deceased family members. One of those trees belonged to Mustafa, who the garden is named after.
In addition to community members hoping to honor those that have passed away, Atlantic City’s local officials also attended the event and recognized the Head family’s efforts towards bringing the community together.
“A lot of people couldn’t afford tombstones for whatever reason, but places like this where families can pay tribute to their loved ones are amazing,” Mayor Marty Small Jr. said.
Correction: A previous version of this story said that Mustafa Head was Anaija’s brother, but he was her father. We apologize for the error.
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