Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

For Jody, with love and memories that will always be a blessing.

by Katelyn

We send our thanks to long-time friend and volunteer of the sanctuary, Cindy Marks, for sponsoring this day of sanctuary and sharing what was in her heart on this Mother’s Day. And in doing so, perhaps helps to ease the hearts of others as well.

“Reading Tobin’s post this morning brought tears and also filled me with unexpected solace. I lost my mother on May 3, 38 years ago. Mother’s Day has since become a sad, difficult, lonely day. Jody’s passing only days before my mother’s amplified the sadness this year. Yet, after reading Tobin’s post I realize this year and in the years to come my memories and grief are now shared. Sharing, even virtually, is enormous comfort. In the Jewish tradition we light a special memorial candle to mark the anniversary of a loved ones passing. This year I lit one for both Jody and my mother. Their memories will always be blessings. — this day is for Jody, my mother and all the mothers not with us anymore.”

Cindy shared these next two photos with us (painting of Jody by Margaret Parkinson):

Subscribe To the Blog and Get Notified of New Posts First!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Linda C says

    Thank you, Cindy. It’s been 25 years for me. We never stop missing our moms, I think.

  3. Rosalie Allen says

    Cindy, thank you for sharing and sponsoring today. It’s been 25 years missing my mom, each year there are more sweet memories than saddness. That’s the way with Jody-everytime i see some lilacs, i’ll enjoy them a bit more.

  4. Kathleen says

    That was so beautiful. Thank you. You are one of the lucky people who had the privilege of knowing Jody through your volunteering. The memories your heart must hold! I am thrilled you chose to share your portrait of Jody by Margaret Parkinson! Margaret’s work always captures the true spirit of each individual. This portrait brings Jody to life and it brought me so much joy to look at it. Magnificent!

  5. Marya says

    Thank you, Cindy, for your openheartedness and thoughtfulness in sharing your experiences and feelings with all of us. CSNW in its entirety is an enormous blessing in my life, including the staff, the chimps themselves (of course!!), the guys from Sage Mechanical, and of course this unbelievably supportive community of humans. All the chimps are special to me but I’ll admit that I have a few that I feel closer to and Jody was one of those. Those bright eyes reflected so much of what was around her and that adorable smile just slays me, especially when she’s looking at lilacs or anything else that she was excited about. I agree with Kathleen about Margaret’s painting; she captured Jody’s eyes, smile and overall demeanor so perfectly. Thanks for sharing it and your love of Jody and the sanctuary with us. Talk about a blessing in my life! Words can’t even begin to do it justice.

  6. Marie says

    This prayer was composed of many psalms…………………………………….0 Lord, what is man that You regard him, or the son of man that You take account of him? Man is like a breath, his days are like a passing shadow … So teach us to treasure our days that we may get a wise heart. Observe the good man, and behold the upright, for there is immortality for the man of peace. Surely God will ransom my soul from the grave; He will gladly accept me … The dust returns to the earth as it was, but the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

  7. Paulette says

    Sharing. Every time you share a bit of your pain, your burden lightens as others help to carry the weight of it.

    I’m carrying some.
    Thank you Cindy, Tobin, and all of the many who are helping to carry it by sharing it.
    Love,

  8. Tobin says

    Thank you so much, Cindy, for the beauty of your words and the picture s which you shared. In my sorrow, l try to remember our dear Jody’s spirit of living.

    When I learned that Jody had passed from this life, I found myself thinking about her infancy and being in her mother’s embrace. Indeed, l thought of the words in Psalm
    139:. There is something so sacred in the fact of her creation. The beauty in her face was only an intimation of an essence she exuded. This, I weep as I inscribe this message.

    I, too, have a candle lit for Jody, adjacent to a statue of the Madonna.