Happy Birthday, to our January celebrating friends! And Happy New Year, all! If you’re not still wearing them, you better dig out your party pants for this month!
It seems apropos that we burst into each new year by celebrating Burrito! Our beloved chimp guy with (at least) nine lives and full of ever-increasing energizer-bunny-energy of epic proportions, is turning 40 on January 6th!
Because of you all being part of some miraculous fate we’re profoundly grateful for, overcoming adversity in life and coming out the other side (again and again) full of even more wild joy and well-being seems to be Burrito’s superpower. Seeing the love that has ensconced Burrito through all his ups and downs has been nothing short of awe-inspiring and I believe all our hearts have been given the sheer gift and fortune of being buoyed along in his effervescent wake.
Such sentiments often sound trite, but I believe Burrito reminds us it’s always possible (even when it might feel as though it’s not) to find something to celebrate, no matter how small. We can’t wait for his special day. And we all better start stretching…
A Bubbie blur…
Then, on January 29th, we get to celebrate dear, beautiful, regal, Rayne, who will be turning 33!
This will be Rayne’s second birthday since calling the sanctuary her home and we’re so honored to celebrate the special individual she is. The privilege of getting to know Rayne and her group more each day, learning from them, and trusting in their strength, resiliency, wisdom, and capacity for joy, is a gift to us all.
Look at this glorious woman!
Rayne and Willy B:
As Sofia (and Dora!) marveled over yesterday, it’s incredible all that YOU have made possible in the chimpanzees’ and bovines’ lives in the last year. I mean, truly.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest will be celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer, can you believe it?! If you ever pause to wonder why and what if this or what if that, as we humans are all wont to do at various times in our lives, please just shift your gaze for a moment into the faces and lives of the 20 incredible individuals who call the sanctuary their home and remind yourself what you have been, and are, an invaluable part of creating. We’re immensely honored and grateful to you for being here and we can’t wait to walk through this next year and all those forward, together.
May your birthdays and year ahead mirror back to you all your hearts have so graciously shared. Happy Birthday, human friends, and Happy New Year!
tomaustin says
WHOO HOO……………a new year, new hopes and dreams…………………BURRITO’s birthday is wonderful way to begin this new year…..
Happy days ahead for CSNW……………………!!!!
Ken, Gracie & Sonny says
A Happy New Year to all at CSNW.
15 years – Where does the time go, Congratulations to everyone for all the amazing things you have completed, to give a beautiful Home to all the residents who call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest their Home. i love seeing, Barn Kitty also has a warm place to live during the winter says.
Thank you for the beautiful Holiday Card. looking foward to spring and completion of the outside area for Cy’s Group.
Wishing everyone in the CSNW Community a wonderful day.
Ken, Gracie & Sonny
Michael and Arlene says
Katelyn your words are beautiful. Loving those photos. We are looking forward to each new day and the pictures, videos and blogs that will keep us updated on what’s going on there!
Happiest of New Year’s to all.
Maureen says
I confess it’s taken me awhile, but I’m over the moon concerning Burrito. He is indeed everything everyone says about him. And to be so effervescent despite all he’s gone through (I still hold a grudge on his behalf for the time the integration between his group and the 3 failed) makes him a perfect role model. The photos are great! Get a load of Burrito under a black scarf! Just too funny. All the others are always perfectly wonderful, and I look forward to the 15-year celebration.
Julie Medrano says
Your pictures are awesome beyond belief!!Having worked as a volunteer with the WW chimps (until that was stopped) I am just so happy
to see how much their lives have improved and how happy they are now!
Kathleen says
Celebrating beloved Burrito on the 6th is the best way to start the year! Mr. B is unique in that he really does spotlight the importance of appreciating everything. He embraces E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G life has to offer. From his human friends to a small wooden block to a giant Kong to a dark see through scarf over his head! Burrito willingly wallows in all of it! There is nothing trite in stating it exactly as it is. What a wonderful superpower to have!
And Rayne seems to hold a superpower of bestowing tranquility over her onlookers. She’s lovely. Celebrating her birthday on the 29th sets the perfect ending to the month of January.
Happy New Year! Happy days of January!
PS: the last two photos are two of my favorites. :heartpulse:
CeeCee says
I just opened my new CSNW calendar, to a great Pic of Mr.Burrito.
A great way to start off the New Year !:tada:
JOAN SILACO says
THE XMAS CARD! ITS A KEEPER! I DO HAVE AN INFINITY FOR BURRITO! HE IS COMICAL, BUT MORE SO, ITS HIS PERSONALITY THAT COMES/SHINES THRU. HE IS DEF THE LIFE OF THE PARTY! I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING OF AN ANNIVERSAY COMING ON THE 6TH AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY. THANK YOU FOR CORRECTING THAT TO THE MOST POSITIVE EVENT OF THE MONTH! IN OUR MINDS AND HEARTS WE WILL BE DRESSING UP FOR YOU BURRITO, AS IF WE WERE ALL THERE IN PERSON.