Somehow, here we are at another month sans any resident chimpanzee or bovine birthdays! But we made it to spring! So, human friends, you’ve got to party it up extra hard for us this month! If you’ve been following the chimpanzees for any time at all, we know they’ve taught you well. Happy Birthday to all our April reveler friends out there!
However! On April 1st, Missy’s insanely handsome son (and Honey B’s brother!), Josh, turned 37! Josh is another former resident rescued from Wildlife Waystation after they closed and he is now thriving at his new forever home at Center for Great Apes (from where I blatantly stole this beautiful photo)! Hearing this is such heart-happy news for us.
And as many of you are probably aware, today Jane Goodall is celebrating her 90th birthday! Her impact (not to mention passion and stamina) is immeasurable and I couldn’t hope to expand upon any of the countless ways in which she continues to contribute to our world. But what a remarkable way to live a life. There are, of course, countless every day ways to live a remarkable life, the majority of which involve seemingly small actions that most people remain none the wiser of, particularly ourselves. But it’s inspiring and sometimes hopeful, isn’t it? Seeing the kaleidoscope of ways in which following our singing hearts can reimagine and recreate so much for the world and the lives of those we share it with. Including our own lives. (Photo: Jane Goodall Institute/Shawn Sweeney):
I’ve had the great fortune of meeting Dr. Goodall twice. The first, was not long after I’d begun volunteering at the sanctuary while still living in Seattle. My best friend surprised me with tickets to the screening of Disney’s “Chimpanzee” which Jane Goodall was presenting and somehow we wound up sitting next to her. It was a small venue and in my crazy follow my heart kind of way I just walked right up to her after the showing. She was patiently signing a book for me as I nattered away and when I mentioned the chimpanzees her eyes met mine and lit up. A media photographer took our photo and sent it to me as a surprise. Me, smiling like a goof, Dr. Goodall in her ever composed calm. A zillion people have had the good fortune to hear her inspirational talks, often getting to meet her and have their photos taken with her, and yet I’d bet it holds the same magic for each of us.
Not that you asked, so feel free to scroll ahead ;), but at the time, I was over a decade deep in a previous life career I was passionate about, also working with individuals who were living in a form of captivity, though as a consequence of their own human behavior. But I was readying for a change. A pure leap of heart and faith. But you know when you stand on such precipices, all the doubts and worries come swirling up around you. I still so clearly remember driving home that night along the lake I lived by, the world awash in the most stunning blue hour, my mind awash in excitement and possibility from having spoken with Dr. Goodall, the indigo silhouettes of herons along the water’s edge. And in that very moment feeling surer than sure that following my dream of working with chimpanzees was somehow, miraculously going to become a reality. Or that I at least had to take the leap and try.
I cherish this memory. Not only because of the inspiration that comes from getting to meet those we admire, but also because of the inspiration and courage living within our own hearts that we get to catch glimpses of in such moments. So you see, something seemingly inconsequential to one, perhaps something done a million times over, can make a profound difference for someone. Or for many.
Happiest of birthday wishes to you, Dr. Jane Goodall, from all of us here at the sanctuary! Thank you so much for your resilient heart so full of tenacious hope, possibility and kindness.
And I’d be remiss not to mention, as in the gracious and heartfelt Sponsor a Day post in memory and celebration of loved ones passed earlier today, April 30th is incomprehensibly, the first anniversary of Jody’s passing. I had first typed, “the first anniversary of our lives without Jody.” But that’s far from accurate. At the risk of penning a platitude, which I personally loathe even though well-intended, right next to the very real pain that will always be in our hearts, is also beautiful, endearing, Jody, every second of every day. Her group will forever be “the seven.” I still call out hello to her when we walk around the hill and pass the lilac grove where she is buried, I still talk to her when serving her family meals, or when Foxie uncharacteristically lowers her forehead or lifts her ankle to the caging for a knuckle rub – exactly like Jody used to do and as Foxie never did when Jody was here – I speak to her every day when working from home as I gaze at her photo hanging on the wall above my desk. We will ache in our missing and delight in our celebrating of this beloved chimpanzee woman and she will be part of our lives for all our days forward.
I know I’ve share this before, but it’s one of my all-time favorite photos of Jody from an epic Easter forage past. Pure Joji <3:
I feel like I had something else to share with you all, but I just cannot bring it to mind. Foxie was cute this week. Newsflash! Each of the chimpanzees and bovines are just such amazing individuals. Another newsflash!
Each of you help make so many things possible for the chimpanzees, bovines, and all of us here at the sanctuary, every day. And if you ever doubt that, just look at this Queen (Negra) I captured awhile ago in all her glory:
Happy April to you all! As always, thank you so very much for being here with us.
How I wish that Josh could’ve joined his sister here at the Sanctuary.
Beautiful heart felt sharing, thanks so much. I ws so interested in your story. Another time tell us of your second meeting with Jane Goodall, please.
It may not be true, but I like to think in my heart that she has visited the sanctuary before and even that she might be the anonymous matching donor that frequently participates in the fundraisers.
Thank you so much for sharing that story Katelyn. I’d love to hear more. Maybe about your previous job…
Once again, I just had to share a photo with absolutely everybody I love. Today it’s that lovely photo of Negra. So precious
Thank you, Paulette. In that particular life :), I worked in a variety of roles in corrections with individuals, both juvenile and adult, who were serving sentences for felony offenses and helped to provide their supervision and treatment, as well as in facilitation of their return to the community, if eligible.
“feel free to scroll…” Ha! If it’s a Katelyn blog, I’m reading every word! (Particularly like “the blue hour…”).
I know I’ve mentioned before, but there are lots of us. I try not to regret too much in life, but one I do have is not cancelling my teaching to go hear Dr Jane speak when I was at UWSP. So I’m jealous of several of you! I’ve wished her a happy birthday on many channels, but on the off chance that she follows the blog, I’ll say once again that we wish you a happy birthday, Dr Jane, and we thank you for everything.
That’s sweet that Foxie is filling part of Jo’s space for you, Katelyn. How long does Missy seem to spend out there?
And we never mind seei g a “good morning, Neggie!” photo from the portrait studio ….was it breakfast time or lunch? :heartpulse:
Until next month, have a good one, Katelyn!
Linda, thank you for the uplift 🙂 Given that Dr. Jane has more stamina and spirit than I think I did in my 20’s, I wouldn’t give up! Just hearing her speak is truly something. Missy – when I see her visiting Jody’s burial site, it’s been a couple minutes. I think she’s the only one who really does this repeatedly. I watched her and Annie racing up the perimeter together not long ago and all of a sudden Missy peeled off and ran right to the lilac grove, stood there a few minutes, then raced back to meet up with Annie and they carried on. Who knows what she’s doing, but I like to think saying hello. Amazingly, that Negra photo was middle of the day, just Neggie looking out the window. I love the sparkle in her eyes.
Happy Birthday Dr Goodall…A Blessing to Chimps Everywhere….a Life of Love………….and Josh. …what a Doll you are….Oh Foxie…..Jody Rubbed off on you and her Spirit Lives on…what a Touching Post…I’m sitting here with the Smell of Hyacinth in the air…Ahhhhh…Sweet Dreams Little Ones
I took an involuntary deep breath upon reading “Hyacinth”. 🙂
Happy Birthday Jane Goodall :heartbeat:
Josh is so handsome. Oh Missy, if you only knew. Happy birthday dear boy.
And happy birthday to Dr. Jane Goodall. May you never slow down. Thank you for sparking something deep inside of me and thank you for helping me keep the hope alive in these very trying times. (I know Dr. Goodall was just in Seattle on her birthday tour, I was curious if any of the CSNW caregivers had the opportunity to see her. I hope so!)
Jody. When I turned my CSNW calendar from March to April, my first thought was of Jody. Thank you, Katelyn, for sharing what Jody means to you. The way you see her in Foxie doing Jody‘s moves. Coincidence? I don’t think so. I enjoyed seeing your favorite photo of Jody again (never get tired of seeing Jody with her arms overloaded with a forage feast!) as well as the other photos from earlier today. And that photo of Negra! She looks fabulous! Her hair is glistening, thick and lush and downright floofy!! Definitely, our Queen is truly aging in reverse.
There may not be any chimpanzee or bovine birthdays this month, but there is at least one human birthday at the sanctuary this month. Also, today is National ‘Burrito’ Day! I hope today’s blog will show you celebrating it. Lastly, similar to Katelyn talking to JoJo throughout the day, I always start my day by saying good morning and kissing the urns of all my pets that have passed.
Josh has his momma’s eyes! Such a handsome guy!
Also a big happy birthday to Dr. Goodall! I hope one day to meet her/see her speak in person. I have to admit I’m a little jealous of those who have had the opportunity!
It really amazes me that Missy takes time out to visit Jody’s resting place. I think she knows. I think she knows Jody is there. I know her spirit is still felt by everyone at CSNW. Foxie adopting some of her mannerisms, everyone leaving the pumpkin on Halloween, the stops by her grave… I know she’s still around keeping an eye on her beloved family.
Also beautiful Neggie pic! I assume she’s supervising food preparations?
LATE POSTING AS USUAL, BUT JUST WANTED TO BE A PART OF YOUR COMMENTS ON JANE GOODALL. YES, I’VE MET HER TOO, MANY TIMES PAST, MATTER FACT, 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR! I GOT THE STUFFED CHIMP THAT I SWIPED OFF THE DAIS WHERE SHE SAT! AND I STILL HAVE IT! THAT WAS A WHILE BACK, BUT JUST RECENTLY A FEW WEEKS/ MONTHS AGO TOO. THANK YOU IN SHARING THE TIMES YOU’VE MET JG TOO.