Last month, caregiver Sabrina wrote the first in a series of blogs titled ‘Lessons the Chimps Have Taught Us‘. Today, I would like to add to it. 🙂
We mention it quite often, but our days here are buuuusssyyy. We have a lot to do and time tends to slip away from us, or maybe time really does just go faster when you’re in the chimp house. Either way, we have to make conscious decisions throughout the day about how we spend our time to make sure we get everything done and also spend time with the chimps.
This morning, Sabrina and I went and did our perimeter check of Young’s Hill and the Bray. I was standing by the raceway (the connecting enclosure from the Greenhouse to Young’s Hill) while giving caregiver Jenna my safety report over the radio and Burrito was already being his wild self! Wanting to play a game of chase, he would run over to me, stomp his back foot, and go running off- with me following, of course. I thought that I would need to take a few minutes to play chase with him before doing the rest of the lead caregiver’s morning responsibilities, but he had other things in mind.
As soon as I opened the door, he was running! And, not just running, but looking back at me, clapping, breathy panting, and stomping his feet. Not only was he going for a morning jog around the hill, but I was about to go with him.
I always get really happy when a chimp asks me to spend time with them- whether it be a walk outside, a quiet grooming session, or a game of chase. It’s just, well, special. And it never gets old.
While I was happy to spend time with Burrito, my mind was definitely on everything that I had to get done today. A few steps around the hill, though, Burrito paused our race to sit down while looking back at the chimp house. The winter chill could definitely be felt this morning and there was a layer of fog around the foothills, but the blue winter-y morning light made everything extra breath-taking.
I grew up in Ohio and while the Midwest has it’s own charm and beauty, I don’t think there’s anything like the mountains on a cold winter morning.
So, all this to say that today I was reminded of one of the things that the chimps have taught me.
Your to-do list will always be there and it will always be just as important. But- taking the time to spend quality, fully present moments with people you love is a pretty good reason to put it on hold. It can wait… Burrito can’t. 🙂
I hope you enjoy this mornings walk as much as I did.
Photos from My Vault
Gordo, enjoying a sunny lunch forage:
Terry, looking out to the Bray:
Don’t forget to participate in our Comfort & Joy Online Auction– be sure to get your bids & donations in before the event ends this Saturday, November 18th. 🙂
Cindee says
I have so much respect for you caregivers to be able to do everything you do for the residents. As much as I would have loved to enjoy this walk with Burrito, my Type A personality would have been so stressed about changing course once a task was begun and then thinking about how behind it would put me to get everything else done. I’m so glad they have all of you to spend the quality time with them that they deserve, regardless of the disruption to your day. They are the reason you’re there and fortunately for me, I can enjoy and appreciate taking the walk on video once I have completed my chores for the day!
Marie says
Sweet Terry….Who was the Scab Picker or Pimple Popper that got a Hold of Your Face:face_with_monocle:…. nonetheless…..Terry it makes you Look very Rugged:grin: Ooh La La
Linda C says
It seems as though, since the snake bites and the Big Fight, Burrito shadows Jamie more than anyone else. I swear he got that “clap clap stomp stomp” from her!!
Lookin’ pretty limber, Bubba, for a guy with arthritis on a 28 degree day!
I’d love to start my day with a chimp walk!
Kathleen says
Oh Grace, I couldn’t agree with you more! It’s the simple things in life that mean the most. Always make time for them. But this morning walk….. W-O-W! Thank you for allowing me to join you. A quiet moment of zen!
And all this time I thought of Burrito as a big lovable goofball (because he is!) but now I see he has this old-soul-drink-in-the-natural-scenery-thing going on. Or maybe he was just looking for his pals in the hopes he’d see them ambling up the hill to join him. I’m choosing to believe Burrito is a little bit of all of all it — silly, contemplative, and caring.
If you hadn’t mentioned the 28 temp I wouldn’t have known from the chimps. How wonderful Burrito, Missy, and Jamie all came out in that cold. And they all seemed to enjoy it and each other, and you being there with them, too. What a lovely experience that was. Can’t thank you enough. The next time you are up at the top of the hill enjoying the breathtaking mountains, think of the people who work in small cubicles with no window in sight.