In part by my nature, it was a long time before I truly learned to find the beauty, to hold reverence, for the tiniest of details in the life around me. If it wasn’t some kind of grand adventure or marvelous miracle, it didn’t as easily capture my attention. Endless views from mountain tops, saturated fields of flowers as far as the eye can see, and the rarest of sightings sang a certain siren song. They still do. But after a particularly stressful time in my life many years ago, I learned to practice looking for any shape or size of beauty around me to distract my anxiety ridden mind. At this point in my life, I’d say it’s not only second nature for my eyes to always scan my surroundings for what is always there if we just take the time to see it, but it’s become paramount to my sense of connection and well-being. And the surest way to find gratitude for what is. For me, there’s as much, if not more, magic in the seemingly small details of the life, and lives, which surround us.
The sunrise stretching through the Ponderosas first thing this morning turned a frost-covered Young’s Hill into a fairy land:
It’s hard to believe the difference a week can make here in the mountains. Last week I posted this photo of Jody, Burrito, Foxie and I marching toward spring:
Today, with Jamie:
Jamie, Burrito, Missy and Jody out for a crisp morning patrol:
Missy spotted her dear friend, Annie, below and zoomed right to her:
As I stood outside taking in great gulping gasps of the crispest of air, my face turned skyward watching a huge juvenile bald eagle soar overhead, one of our returning Say’s Phoebes swooped low over my head and perched near me singing out as if to announce, “I’ve made it! I’m back!” And we chatted about their winter and their much welcomed return. Their sudden presence a sure sign that no matter what is happening in our human lives, in this big ol’ world, the rivers are still running, the wind still blowing, the birdsong still returning. Everyone is gathering once again.
Even the tiny details of caring for the chimpanzees or cleaning their home bring the most fulfillment and sense of presence. Little things, like knowing which lazy Susan Burrito and Foxie like to sit on during meals, or which corners the chimps to build nests in and making sure not to leave puddles of water there after cleaning. Knowing that Jamie likes her carrots peeled. Knowing that Willy B loves his leopard blanket above all others and Honey B adores the huge wolf blankets to drag into the chute where she can be “outside”, but still wrapped securely in the warmest blanket nests. Knowing that Mave might not appear that she wants your company, but will bounce like a maniac the second you try to leave because she really wants you to just sit near her and enjoy a spell of companionable silence. Knowing that before bed, Foxie often wants to toss you her doll du jour to hold one last time before she asks for her back, lies down and nest grunts “good night.” There are endless magical, heart-filling details, a single one with the power to make an entire day the most magical marvelous miracle.
Cleaning the playroom yesterday, I found one of my favorite Jamie nests ever. It was creatively tied to the caging of the window the sunrise was streaming through and made of many of what seem to be her favorite colors: red, orange and pink. Boots tucked here and there, including the tiniest of plastic boot ornaments from their Christmas tree, and her beloved XTRATUF boot book:
And this! Jamie tore this tiny photo from the corner of a page in one of her books and carried it tucked into her pelvic pocket for days and each morning I’d find it tucked into her nest. No one but Jamie can say for sure what she finds particularly intriguing about this photo over the zillions of others she has, but it doesn’t matter. Something in the details mean something to her:
Here’s sweet Honey B enjoying the details of her nightbag this evening:
And speaking of beauty in the details, don’t forget about the art contest benefiting the sanctuary being held by our local visual arts center, Gallery One! Voting began today (and runs through March 14th)! One winning design will be chosen by a committee of Central Washington University students in the Primate Behavior and Ecology Program, sanctuary staff and board members, and up to three designs will be People’s Choice awards (that’s you!!). There are so many wonderful and creative entries so be sure to check them out and vote for your favorites here! Winning designs will be announced on March 15th and will be printed on merchandise to benefit the sanctuary!
Good night, all. Rest well. Wherever you find yourself in life, may you notice, even for a moment, the beauty that surrounds you. The seemingly smallest of moments that string together the most mystical tales and magical lives. One day, one tiny detail at a time, pulling us forward like every wild thing.
Who doesn’t love a cute photo of cuddling young chimps to brighten up their day? Jamie is just like the rest of us! 🙂
Thank you, Katelyn, for a poignant photo-essay.
Whether it’s looking to the left or the right, or down, or inside things and around corners, it’s all about remembering to “look up”. Too often we forget to.look up, at the peeling paint of an old house, the ever changing sky, the hawk perched at the very top of a hydro pole. It’s about reminding myself to look up.
A lovely post, Katelyn, and some very remarkable pictures. But it is the pocket photo that really gets me. Is it about her lost babies? Is it because it silently and powerfully peaks of love? Absolutely divine.
It’s always wonderful to look for the small wonders in life. Thank you for this thoughtful post.
I loved hearing about Jamie’s nest, with the tiny boot, and the special saved picture. Thank you
all for loving all the chimps so well, and treating them with so much kindness and care.
Beautiful post!! Thank you!
To continue yesterday’s Star Wars theme, you have the Force, Jedi Master. Wise and beautiful words. Thank you ?
To continue yesterday’s Star Wars theme, you have the Force, Jedi Master. Wise and beautiful words. Thank you ?
katelyn, thank you. I’m so glad you came to know what is most important in life. Love. It’s a million little things…
I needed to hear this. Today my husband would be 62. On Christmas Day of 2012 I was ejected from my car and hung on for 3 month til I was out of the woods. After I “woke up” I would have 17 plus surgeries and then in 2014 my husband was ejected from his truck. He died at the scene. There are days when I feel like he was the lucky one. And then I watch the video of y’all bringing the 7 back to live at the sanctuary and I see that terrified look on Bubbas face and then I see him now. I see all of them and their resilience and I’m ashamed of myself. I’m not writing this for sympathy-please. I just get so much strength from these 10 beautiful souls and on the bad days they remind me I can get through anything.
Stevie, I’m so glad you have found the chimps! I need to read and see photos and videos of the chimps every day. I always find joy here.
Stevie, I know I, and many of us here, have also expressed the same awe and gratitude for the resilience the chimpanzees seem to miraculously hold, and for the incredible inspiration they provide just by being themselves. Thank you for sharing part of your story with us, it takes courage sometimes to do so. And there are so many for whom our words may land in unexpected and much needed ways.
Jamie’s photo of two cuddling chimps grabbed my heart. Her sweetness just overwhelmed me. Thank you for this beautiful post, and for reminding me to look always at the simple things, because there is magic in all of it.
There has to be some long ago memory of babies taken from Jamie that she ripped out that picture and kept it for days. My eyes teared up when I saw the picture and imagined the pain she must have endured so long ago. She is beyond bright but brilliant. I love all the chimps there at CSNW but Jamie blows my mind at times with how smart she is. I loved your appreciation of all the little things. I seemed to have lost that when my dog died in 2019, plunged into a year-long isolation without him at my side. I will try to do from now on what you do, Katelyn.
Who said your beloved dog is no longer at your side? Trust me Elaine, your dear friend is most certainly still there at your side. I will share my favorite ‘Winnie the Pooh’ quote: “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever”.
Hi Elaine, Jamie is definitely amazing, isn’t she? Jamie (and Burrito) are actually the only two of the original seven who don’t have children. But I’d sure love to spend some time in that incredible mind of hers. I’m so sorry to hear about your beloved canine family member. It’s so hard. Mary Oliver has some really lovely poems about her dogs, both during their lives and after death, if you happen upon them. I’m so glad the chimpanzees are a bright spot for you. For us all. 🙂
Thank you for the reminder of that pearl of wisdom. And for the story about Jamie’s nest and torn picture?
I loved this post. It’s too easy to take the little things in life for granted. Each morning I try to find the time to walk through my yard and make sure there is food in the bird feeder and water in the bird bath and to enjoy the new day. Birds chirping, bee’s buzzing and the morning sun. As I’ve gotten older it’s some of these small things that I’ve come to cherish. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Katelyn, for being present with the rich beauty of What Is: This moment Now.
May all beings be healed.
May all beings be blessed.
May all beings have peace.
OMG I love your post it’s just beautiful and heart warming. Thanks for all you do.
Katelyn, your post today moved me to tears. Everyday I enjoy some small wonder like my dear sweet dog, a tiny Carolina wren who sings the loudest even though she is the smallest bird in my yard, the boisterous crow parties that gather in my trees, bright warm sunshine, a clear night sky where I can wish upon all my favorite constellations, and like Neggie I find great pleasure in the sprouting of sweet chartreuse spring grass. Simple pleasures are the best. But none are better than visiting this blog everyday and seeing my dearest distant friends enjoy what’s dear to them. Jamie….sigh, I have no thoughts on the little photo she saved I am just happy she’s in a place where she could see it and for whatever reason, keep it close. I love that she still ties her nests down.
Can’t wait to see who the winners of the contest will be. I my mind they are all vote worthy and I am finding it hard to select only three! What fun…..
Thanks Katelyn, for being you and for sharing your wisdom.
Katelyn,
You are such a great and evocative writer – reading your words is always special to all of us. and then to see Jamie’s treasure ….. just so wondrous….so beautiful..thank you for sharing your beautiful words, observations …photos….thank you!
poetic prose……………..
Beautiful post! Thank you!
This was beautiful Katelyn! Thank-you!