I was going through my photos last night and I found this picture taken on January 2, 2008. When I opened it up, I my first thought was “thank goodness we don’t have any snow yet.” But that thought was quickly replaced with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. For the past two days I have also had the honor of signing year end thank you cards for all of our 2008 donors and I am deeply humbled by the generosity of so many people. Looking at this picture and reading the hundreds and hundreds of names of people who have supported us, I am so acutely aware that without all of you we could not have gotten to where we are today! So today I wanted to personally thank you all for being there for Burrito, Missy, Jamie, Negra, Jody, Foxie, and Annie.
It’s a bit mind-boggling, isn’t it? It’s a whole new life now ~ one that I can’t imagine without the Cle Elum Seven, the CSNW staff and bloggers in it. What a gift from heaven ~ gosh, maybe we should also thank the writer of the article you read, Keith, in Discover magazine. Isn’t it amazing how this happened? The article, the call you made to your sister and your unbelievable commitment with the support of Lauren and your kids, JB, Diana and Sarah joining forces and all the volunteers and contributors. There really are Angels among us and miracles really do happen. What a beautiful time of the year to reflect on that. Peace 🙂 Shelly.
Thank You Keith for all you have done and all you do! Becoming a part of the CSNW family has changed me also, I love Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jodi, Negra and Missy, but without you I would have never came to know them. When I found the CSNW Sanctuary it is like a jolt to the heart, I started reading more about Chimpanzees and all primates for that matter and have given it my all , and now to the day I die I will do all I can to help change the way Chimpanzees are treated and without you and the Sanctuary I really do not think I would have dug any deeper and found out how badly they have been and are treated , I really had no ideal until I found CSNW from surfing the web one day. So THANK YOU Keith for opening my eyes! Merry Christmas to you and yours and a bigger and even better New Year! With as well as things have went in 2008 , you can only imagine what good thing will come to you in 2009!
You were the one that gave so much of your time and your retirement to this cause. What you did for these chimps humbles me. I feel honored to be a part of it. Thank YOU for giving us the chance.
Makes me think of the line from Field of Dreams – If you build it they will come! Seems like you built it and we’ve all come! The chimps have been here and in our lives for six months and joined us together. What a great time to celebrate their miraculous transformation from then to now as well as the community their presence has created. One of those times when the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts. There are 7 new lights in the winter darkness this year…we all have so much to be greatful for this year. Thank you everyone!!!
Keith,
What everyone has written so far sums up exactly how my husband and I feel. I knew nothing about Chimpanzees before finding you on FACEBOOK and, a few short months later all I seem to want to do in my spare time is read about them and check your blog. Each new post -esp with pictures and video is a gift and such a treat and always “enriches” my day. I have a picture of Annie in my car that JB had sent me to remind me each day of the commitment that we have made to you, to stand with you and help spread the word. My greatest desire is to be able to do more for you all and I echo everyone else when i say that you have given us all a priceless gift and that we are forever changed. Thank-you and all of the team for all of your hard work and personal sacrifices that you have made to save our friends from that windowless room. You are a true expression of the saying “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid…” I really hope that you allow yourself to feel so, so, so, proud of the work you are doing.
We are all standing with you and we love you all very much.
Love,
Courtney and Gregory
I also am so thankful for running across the ABC News story, which also had such a tremendous impact on me, my thought processes and outlook. For whatever reason I was so intensely touched by the story of the chimps and what Keith made happen, it has provided me with such a still peace and feeling of accomplishment to know that in some small way, we are helping to make a difference for these chimps and helping to educate others about the plight of many others like them. So it is we who should be thanking you, Keith and all of you there for the gift you give us of being a part of something much larger than ourselves, than our own personal daily lives and struggles, to find a cause to support that adds such meaning to our lives. Hopefully we can all be part of making new connections and energy happen for other good things to occur in the world. We can do great things, if we just let the power of the universe guide us in the right direction. Thank you all for supporting this truly worthwhile cause. It is in giving that we truly are fulfilled, this is true.
Keith — To sound like a broken record, there’s a Hebrew expression that perfectly describes what you are doing — tikkun olam — healing the world. To me, it’s like you threw a little pebble in a pond: the ripples it sends out have effects far beyond its small size. Not only have you given seven chimp people their lives for the first time, you have brought together an ever-growing network of people to share in and help with this miracle, and to change the world. So, yes, it is we who have to thank you.
May all of you continue to go from strength to strength.
Amy
Amy, that’s a lovely thought- “healing the world.” I like that a lot!
Keith,
It seems so unfitting for you to be thanking anyone. I don’t know you or your family personally, but I think about what you have done, how much you have given and sacrificed, all the research, the hard work, the extraordinary amount of time and energy, not to mention what you have given financially. I’ve wondered about the conversation you had with your wife when you told her what you wanted to do. She must be just as exceptionally special as you are. I’ve thought about the courage it took to make the CSNW dream a reality. What do you say to someone who has done so much, who has given so selflessly? I have no words to properly thank you. There’s an interview where you call yourself a “regular guy.” That makes me laugh. You are in no way a regular guy. You are truly a wonderful inspirational person. You set a great example for all of us. What you have done is simply amazing! I have much respect and admiration for you and your family. It is with great warmth and my deepest gratitude that I would like to thank you so very much for allowing me to be a small part of CSNW. -And a special thank you to Diana who had the foresight to open the blog door to all of us. It’s through the blog that we have come to know and love all of you.
Thank you all for all your kind and wonderful words. I do feel very proud of what has been accomplished…and I am very happy to hear that my actions have inspired others. This world really does need many more “regular guys” and gals:)
Everyone else has said it so much better than I ever could. You have indeed opened my eyes to the needs of not only the chimp people but the other animals who desperately need help. I had no idea until you came into my life what there was to do.
A very Merry Christmas to all at CSNW and all the followers. Together we have made a big difference and can be very proud and thankful, especially for 7 wonderful chimp people and their caregivers.
Keith, I have a few people in my life I call heros…..people who inspire my life….people I use as role models even while I know there is no way I could ever do what they do. You are among that small few. I think of our Cle Elum Seven upon awaking every day and then close after them comes thoughts of you because without you I would not know them. Without you they would not be here. I think there are two kinds of “good” people in this world. In the larger group there are folks like me I hope, who see opportunaities to help that others have created and join in. You are in the the much smaller group of those who see a possiblilty for kindness where it does not exisit and make it happen. That is REAL greatness. You read a magazine and look what followed…..seven chimpanzees: out of confinement and bordom; gigling for joy; having choices of great food; spitting at humans because they can, running and jumping because their muscles are now strong enough to let them. I could go on and on. Look into their faces, Keith, to see what a hero you are to me and many others. Whoever is in charge of all this….god or whoever it is…..thank you for Keith (and while I am at it, thank you that there has been no snow so far this year!) I am so honored to call you my friend.
Good Lord, I’m sitting here literally just bawling reading all of these incredibly beautiful sentiments. Oh my goodness, what everyone has written here should be immortalized somehow. What a triumph for all of us, that you, Keith, are responsible for creating. It just simply does not get any better than this. Namaste.
I too am blown away by everybody’s eloquence and grace.. I too could not have said it any better although I truly feel the same in many many ways..
Many sincere Thank You’s Keith..
and as Jeani has said before: Thank you is not enough – but please know that it comes from the heart. Thank you.
You are indeed a very extroardinary and very special soul ..
I seriously wish that there were more people like you and your team in this world.
Much Gratitude & Cheers – with love and respect!
I remember first hearing about this sanctuary during its planning stages from a mutual friend of mine and Keith’s. I remember thinking it sounded cool, but I had no idea what it would become! It is truly amazing to have known about it in its early stages and to witness where it is now. I often say I like animals better than most people I meet, but if everyone was even a little bit more like Keith, Diana, Sarah, J.B., and all the supporters and people on this blog, I think the world would be a lot better for it.
So, thank you to all of you for reminding me that there are humans who have chosen to be part of something bigger than themselves. It gives me strength to continue the fight towards decency, kindness and most of all dignity for all living creatures. I will continue to believe that someday we will get there. Happy Holidays to everyone. Stay safe.
Wow! I am so touched by all the entries I am in tears. I thought I was just a mushy person loving the chimps like I do and being so deeply touched by what CSNW has done. I am glad to know that others are touched as deeply as I am.
It’s humbling to see what has been accomplished at CSNW.