A few weeks ago, the staff received amazing personalized gift baskets from past and current volunteers as a gesture of support following the emotionally challenging times with the now-failed integration attempts of the two groups of chimpanzees. These surprise gifts were incredible and generous.
Along with the gift baskets was a jar filled with pieces of paper that had typed messages. Many were from interns and volunteers we haven’t seen in years. Some were particularly touching messages from blog readers that had been copied and included with the words from volunteers. Kelsi immediately dubbed it “The Feelings Jar.”
I was pretty overwhelmed by the gesture and could not keep my composure to read the messages that day, or the next day, or the day after that. My composure seemed to be rather elusive, truth be told.
This past weekend, after having the jar at home for over a week, I finally sat down by myself on my couch, tissues nearby, and read each message. My composure disappeared after reading the first words on the first piece of paper and didn’t return until I had finished all of them.
Chimpanzees are known for their resilience.
We see it every day at the sanctuary. It’s easy to forget what the ten chimpanzees at CSNW have been through in their pasts when watching them independently explore the outdoor habitat, wrestle with each other while sporting huge play-faces, or get out-of-their-minds excited about what would appear to be a run-of-the-mill meal. They have each been through a lot of negative experiences, but they carry on with the here-and-now with a determined focus on the good things they can get out of each day.
I can’t say that I always share this same quality with them. I am rather skilled at directing my attention either on all of my errors in the past or the doom that is sure to come in the future.
I’ve heard that one way to improve resilience is to have a support system. These last few months have been some of the most difficult, but I’ve also never felt so bolstered by others. Thank you.
I haven’t been very focused on my main job, fundraising, these last few months, and seeing year-end donations come in the mail and online also provides me with the knowledge that you believe in what the sanctuary is doing and you want to be a part of it’s future.
You know that there is much work to be done to help more chimpanzees. For them, I thank you for helping us humans feel like we can move forward while also focusing on the positives of today.
Which brings me to today!
It’s a bright, sunny day in Cle Elum, and we decided it was perfect timing for Burrito, who was with Jamie and Jody, to get outside on Young’s Hill for the first time since his surgery.
As though this were not enough of a positive to focus on, I found Mave inside this morning being very playful:
Happy Christmas Eve, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Tuesday. Whether you are celebrating or not, I hope you too found some positive things in your day today. Maybe it was this blog post!
Linda C says
Oh, Diana, that reminds me that I was going to send some cookies from a market in this neck of the woods along with The Tiny One’s new trolls, but in the rush of end of semester, I didn’t get off the island to buy them! (Good time to ask if many of you are vegan, ’cause the cookies aren’t!)
I think the “feelings” that is a much better idea, a fabulous idea!
Seeing Mave do her break-dancing pain reminds me of Foxie….such a same she couldn’t give the Californians a chance…fort/nests that Jamie and Honey B will never share, slinky games the boys have missed out on, and spinning!
Any chance they’ll ever get to observe each other playing through howdy door mesh, or would there be too much ruckus?
Betsy says
I think there’s always a chance in the future for re-introductions. I can see a time when there are dozens of chimps at CSNW, and several large families, and a few smaller ones. And perhaps a group of elderly chimps on the AARP plan, including Jamie and Honey B who will enjoy quiet one-on-one grooming sessions in the sun. You never know.
Diana says
Betsy – truly, we just never know. I like your AARP vision, though.
Diana says
How nice of you to think of sending cookies! A few of us on staff are vegan. The two groups do see each other now when the three are in the chute (and hopefully courtyard when they decide to venture out) and the seven are in the playroom. These views are still often filled with some level of drama on the part of Jamie, Annie, Missy, Foxie, and sometimes Jody. We probably will keep the howdy door solid panel in place because that would be a place the two groups would likely display and “fight” with each other and it would add a lot of tension. But who knows what the future might hold.
Linda C says
Pardon the stoopit autocorrect…feelings jar, and no “pain”…*have* to quit posting from my phone!
Linda C says
And Mr. B looks excited to be out again.
Happy holidays to all of you I can’t wait for the chimps’ Christmas video…and thi blog is *always* a high point in my day (Some times, the only bright light!)
Diana says
I’m glad the blog is a bright light! Happy holidays to you, Linda!
Margaret says
I’m wondering how long Burrito stayed out in the cold. Linda C I’m sending you wishes of heaps of Christmas joy. Sometimes we have to look harder to find it but I think watching the chimps is a great place to start.
Diana says
Burrito didn’t stay out too long. Only Jamie spent a significant time outside today. But the great thing is that he had the choice. He made a few different quick excursions and was then content to be back where it was warmer.
Diane Koosed says
This is so moving. Every day I learn more and more of what you’ve all been going through internally since the attempt at integrating the groups. It is a gift that you share this with us. I’m so grateful.
Diana says
Thank you for looking at it that way, Diane.
Janet Geisel says
Great to see Burrito out and about. Seeing the resilience of the chimps is a great lesson to us humans. Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas a healthy new year.
Jo Arroyo says
The chimps are my compass. Not stuck in the past, live in the now, dance like no one’s watching. I hope they’re all tucked in their nests while visions of their favorite food, toy and best friend dance in their head.
Diana says
Or spin like no one’s watching, in Mave’s case š
Diana says
It is indeed a great lesson. Merry Christmas and wishes for a healthy new year to you too, Janet.
Maureen says
Diana, the blog post is *always* a pleasure. I’m so happy for the feelings jar, and how it touched you. You and everyone at CSNW do such a splendid job of loving and caring for these chimp people. Easy to forget how much pain you all experienced over the attempt to integrate them all. So happy for Burrito to have gotten a chance to go outside. THANK YOU all so very much. And please remember to remind yourself at least once every day how very valued you are, and how much I- and my fellow followers- cherish the wonderful Cle Elum 10.
Diana says
Such a nice sentiment. I will try to remember! Thank you for treasuring the chimpanzees.
Maureen says
So much in this blog- I forgot to say how much fun it was to watch Mave smile and enjoy her break dancing. Again, they couldn’t be so happy but for the love and care from all of you!
Louise Manson says
You know what?? Each and every day is made better with the contact I have with you and the Chimps, even if it is only via the Blog. I smile at the antics, I cry when one is hurt, I worry when one has had surgery. They have become a staple in my life and I am so thankful for that. Your work with these people is amazing and I am happy to share my delight with others who probably think I’m nuts. But I give it little thought as I smile when watching Mave do her “breakdancing’ routine. Blessings from a grateful friend.
Diana says
Thank you, Louise. It’s gives me a smile knowing that your day is made better by the chimps.
Sherry says
Merry Christmas! Seeing Burrito outside adds an even brighter light to my night! Thank you for all you do, and while many will be celebrating tomorrow, we know you will be hard at work taking care of these 10 and missing some of your holidays. Thank you for your selflessness. It doesnāt go unnoticed. You are deeply appreciated!
Diana says
Thank you, Sherry! We have a full house of selfless staff tomorrow, which will make it a fun day for the chimps.
Diane DePoe says
Thank you for the wonderful blog! I appreciate all of your thoughtful words, photos and videos!
Merry Christmas to all!
Diana says
Thank you, Diane. Merry Christmas to you too!
Kathleen says
I am touched by the camaraderie of your past volunteers and interns and their thoughtful gift, especially the Jar of Feelings. I’m a big softy, I think with my heart, so when I tried to place myself in your shoes reading the pieces of paper I was lost. In the end it must have felt very cathartic. And I too can feel crushed by “the doom that is sure to come in the future”. Or why these 10 chimpanzee people and the 4 bovines provide a spark in each day. Resilience doesn’t begin to explain it. Seeing Burrito out on Young’s Hill just might be the best Christmas gift I can imagine. Simply marvelous!!
I think we all need to get on our backs and spin like Mave. Joy is often found in the simplest things and cheap thrills are the best.
Diana says
It was definitely cathartic, especially after putting it off for so long. Merry Christmas from Burrito, Kathleen. May we all find joy like Mave in that video.
Pat M says
My Happy is seeing Burrito out in the sunshine once again. Poor guy has been through a lot, and Iām sure every bit of ānormalā that comes his way makes him feel pretty good! ??
Diana says
For sure!
Mary says
Merry Christmas to all, Chimps, volunteers, staff, donors! I’m not good at responding to all the blogs but I do read them. This is an amazing place. The work and care and understanding are wonderful. The chimps give me inspiration everyday to enjoy the simple things. I think I might just have to go down to the basement and try spinning on my back while trying to hold my toes. Sending love and huge hugs to everyone at the sanctuary this holiday season. Next year will bring even more adventures and joy.
Nancy says
Yes chimpsā resilience always amazes me. It was so nice to see Mave being playful by herself and Burrito back out on the hill. You guys do such wonderful work every single day and Iām so thankful for your resilience after challenging times. Happy Holidays!