Heartfelt thanks to Lucinda Almy-Hamilton, who sponsored this special day of sanctuary,“In honor of Jody’s birthday in May – Mother’s Day.”
This time of year is one of the best at the sanctuary. Sunny, but still cool mornings, tall, but still green grass. The kind of days the chimpanzees love most. Days that often started with Jody’s beautiful face full of light as she looked out over Young’s Hill each morning in preparation for her and her family to head out on whatever their next adventure was. Jody, still in every sunbeam, in every heart.
We love you, Jody.
Missy, looking over the lilac grove, where Jody is buried:
Valerie B says
Oh, what lovely photos of such a special girl. Thank you, Lucinda, for this.
tomaustin says
Missy’s picture with Jody——there is something going on out there that we just don’t understand…..?
Gaynell says
Thank you for the lovely tribute to such a beautiful life gone too soon. Yes, sunshine beaming on her face is the way she will be remembered always.
tomaustin says
Missy’s picture with Jody——there is something going on out there that we just don’t understand…..
Caroline says
Thank you for the tribute to sweet Jody. How is the group managing without her? Do you see any signs of them looking for her, or missing their dear friend?
Love to you all,
C
Katelyn says
Caroline, thanks for thinking of Jody’s family. They definitely miss her and have been grieving in their own ways, but they are doing as well as can be expected. They are finding joy and comforts in their days, just as Jody was so great at doing. The loss (or addition) of a chimpanzee within a group creates immense change for the individuals, as well as the overall hierarchy, of course, so we expect they will be navigating her loss for some time. As will we all. <3
Caroline says
Thank you so much for letting me know how Jody’s group is doing, I know you will all feel the loss for a very long time, but I am glad you all have eachother to help you cope through this profound loss. Hugs and love to you all :heart::heart::heart:
Paulette says
Oh how I love the pictures of Jodi. Thank you!
Bob says
The pictures of Jody with the flowers brought a few tears. Lovely:bouquet:
Mary Garripoli says
I welled up with tears looking at sweet Jody again. Her resting place of the hill is lovely – thank you. And thank you for sharing this with us.
Tobin says
Thank you so much, Lucinda, for remembering our beloved and beautiful Jody. Grief is the price which we pay for love, and our love for Jody abides.
As I look at the photographs in today’s blogpost, I see the beauty of Jody…and hear the music of Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia” chorale.
Marya says
Ohhh, thank you for these wonderful photos of dear sweet Jody! Another lump has lodged itself in my throat in viewing them, but I’m also grateful for the memories and for all the great images that capture her so well. She’s not only facing into the sunbeam; she IS the sunbeam! I love the images of her forages, looking so self-satisfied and pleased with her hauls, especially those where she’s using her mouth as another hand — too funny! And I have to wonder if Missy knows her friend is “there” in the grass, with the newly-planted lilacs. I think of course she does.
Kathleen says
Oh how lovely to have all of us, today, together, remembering dear Jody. Thank you, Lucinda, for placing her front and center. Thank you, Katelyn, for your moving words and these magnificent photos of Jody’s precious face. Sigh…… The top two photos and the one of her profile with upturned face brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine the adventures she now experiences!
Marya says
Oh, Kathleen, such a lovely tribute you’ve written. Her upturned face really was special to me, too. The lump that was already in my throat turned into tears when I saw that photo, too. Thanks for giving me the impetus to comment on it since I’d forgotten to in my earlier comments.
CarolR says
Thank you so much for this wonderful tribute to dear Jody, especially the beautiful photos. The tears are still not far away….miss her so much. Loved and remembered every day.
Susan Kathleen Feeley says
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful and much loved Jody. And, yes, Jody is in all the sunbeams, sunsets and all our hearts.
CeeCee says
Thank you Lucinda,
and Katelyn, for the picture’s of Beautiful Jody.
We love and miss you Jody:revolving_hearts:
Nancy Duryea says
Lucinda, thank you for the tribute to our lovely Jody. There really isn’t anything I can add that hasn’t been said. I was also moved to tears seeing pictures and reading the comments. Jody will continue to live in our hearts.
marianne says
Beautiful tribute.
Arlene and Michael says
Thank you Lucinda. Jody will always be with us in our hearts and thoughts. I miss her so. The lovely lilacs have been in bloom here in the midwest and that fragrance! When you smell the lilacs in the air you cannot help but think of beautiful Jody and I like to speak her name out loud when I smell their scent:)
Kathleen says
Saying Jody’s name out loud. So touching. Thank you for that thought. I think of Jody everytime I look at lilac bush too……
June says
I still tear up…