Gratitude
September 18, 2022 by Grace -
A lot has happened over this last week.
Between Willy B’s procedure and our HOOT! fundraiser, we have a lot to be grateful for here at CSNW. Willy B has been recovering well in the front rooms of Phase 1, with visual access to the rest of his group members through multiple windows. The rest of Cy’s group have been checking up on him constantly and many have chosen to sit by the windows to join him in watching the many movies we have been playing for him. The stitches in his nose have been holding up really well (knock on wood) and he seems to be enjoying the enrichment we have been giving him to keep him busy (and to keep him from displaying against the howdy door and riling up his neighbors). He is currently watching Shrek and working on a hanging puzzle… Sunday Fun-day, amiright?!
This past Friday was our signature annual fundraiser, HOOT!, and it was the first time it has been held in person for two years. It was my first time attending and I cannot say how heart warming it was to connect with our sponsors in-person and also virtually (via our Facebook live stream). I am always speechless when I think about the support we receive from so many people across the world. Being a part of an event where everyone is connected by the common goal of supporting CSNW brings this gratitude front and center, so I just want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you from all of the primates (and cattle) here at CSNW. Whether you have donated to HOOT!, connect with us via our daily blog, support us by being a Chimp Pal or Produce Patron, sending us items from our wish-lists, or supporting us another way, we can’t say thank you enough for allowing us to provide sustainable sanctuary for our residents.
Thank you.
Personally, I am mentally still processing all the events from the past week. I often spend a good amount of time reading outside of work, especially when work gets busier than normal, and often find that other authors have found words to express things that I am unable to voice. Excuse the cheesy-ness of the end of this blog, but a piece by Mary Oliver has really been on my mind lately. I’ve typed out a portion of it below…Maybe it will touch your heart, too.
The Messenger
My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird –
equal seekers of sweetness.
Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.
Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young and still not half-perfect? Let me
keep my mind on what matters, which is my work,
which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished…
Which is mostly rejoicing, since all ingredients are here,
which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart
and these body-clothes,
a mouth with which to give shouts of joy…
telling them over, over and over, how it is
that we live forever.
Photos above: Terry and Cy
Cy:
Dora:
Negra, resting in the greenhouse:
12 Comments
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What a fun puzzle indeed! Thank you grace. Glad that it was a good weekend for all.What a fun puzzle indeed! Thank you, Grace. Glad that it was a good weekend for all.
Not at ALL cheesy!!! Thank you for the wonderful Mary Oliver, Grace! I’m a fan of hers, too, and was not familiar with that poem but it hits me right where I “live” these days. Here’s hoping HOOT! was a pant-hooting success and that Willy B continues to heal.
I second this sentiment. If the Sanctuary needs a poet laureate, I can’t think of a better choice than Mary Oliver. From what I know of her poetry, I think that she would have been quite taken with the residents of the CSNW.
Very nice, Grace. Thank you for taking care of all our special pals.
Oh Grace, we may be kindred spirits because I ofetn select Mary Oliver’s poetic passages to speak for me as well. She is brilliant. These particular sentiments are very moving, and perfect. As I read the verse ending with “…the speckled sand” set above Terry’s speckled face, I heaved a heavy sigh. It was all too lovely and yes, it touched my heart.
And that is one mega blockbuster enrichment puzzle that Willy B is working on! Of course he is being spoiled! He deserves it.
Happy to hear HOOT! was a success.
Mary Oliver is NEVER cheesy. I I read her work over and over. I wish she could have met our chimps before she died. Her words create the feelings in our hearts that our chimps do. T Thank you Grace.
Thank you Grace,
such a lovely calming post?
I was so lucky to attend Hoot, with people who care so much.
It was nice to have the auction in person again, in that beautiful space, lot’s of fun for a great cause.
Great post Grace. Love the poem and the sentiment is so touching re: all the support from so many sources and in so many differnt ways. Even those of us who share the plight of chimpanzees that cannot live in the wild (and the horrible reasons why) with others who were previously unaware make a difference. And all of you at CSNW are more than amazing. No words are sufficient for what you all do.,.. but GRATITUDE is the best one I can think of. Thank you Grace and all!
I’m so happy to hear that HOOT went well. I’m sorry I couldn’t participate but I’m not on Facebook or any social media.
What a lovely post Grace. Thank you. And the photos are fabulous! Darling Dora. Oh so handsome Cy. charming Terry. And of course where else would we find Negra? Definitely downloading those photos!
beautiful, Grace.
thank you all
How interesting. A friend on my FB Corgi page entered this very poem. Mary Oliver is so appropriate in so many places. Especially where there is love…and gratitude.
new to the blog but have watched your videos on YT for many years now. you write beautifully and do amazing work! BRAVO :clap: