Celebrating Jody on her Birthday
May 14, 2023 by Diana -
Today, Mother’s Day, is when we celebrate Jody’s birthday. Though she is no longer physically with us, we held a celebration in her honor for all of the other chimpanzees, and they thoroughly enjoyed the watermelon bowl themed party (photos to follow).
As I was taking photos of Jody’s group during their watermelon bowl forage, I noticed that Missy had gone to the spot where we planted lilac bushes and trees. The spot where Jody is now buried.
It’s very probably that Missy was checking the area to see if she missed some food, but I like to think she was also saying happy birthday to her friend:
Thank you to everyone who have sponsored days and made donations in Jody’s honor and who have sent us amazing heartfelt cards and messages of condolence. I love hearing how people were touched by her life and her death.
Today, we made some changes to Jody’s page on our website to include a donation link to give specifically in memory of Jody for those who wish to do so.
If you scroll to the bottom of Jody’s page, you can see that it is open for comments, so please do feel free to leave a message their about Jody or in her memory. We really appreciate how many people are grieving for her.
Now for those watermelon bowl photos…
Annie:
Foxie:
Jamie:
Burrito:
Dora:
The bovines also had a great day! They were released onto the upper pasture for spring grazing!
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Seeing Jody’s grave made the tears flow. Especially with Missy standing over it. Happy Birthday sweet Jody…you are missed, but not forgotten!
Sherry,
I share your grief. I miss seeing the friend we loved. Nevertheless, I am relieved and grateful that the remains of Jody were returned to Young’s Hill, where she and her friends found sanctuary and a life where they could be in the Natural world.
Tobin…I’mglad too. I was actually afraid to ask if her remains would come back to the sanctuary, for fear the answer might be no. It’s comforting to know she’s home with her family. The lilacs are a beautiful tribute.
Thank you, Diana.
I like that things continued on as they would have were Jody still there. And that you’ve planted the lilac bushes at her gravesite.
Jamie and Foxie scored two each! Maybe it’s my imagination, but it looks like Jamie’s trying to walk while her toes are curling in happiness!
Thank you for bringing us with you until Jody is safely tucked into het warm grave and thankyou for celebrating her birthday anyway. i love that she has lilacs growing on top of her. Sweet Jody. you will be forever missed and forever loved.
Thank you Diana for the wise words and touching photographs, I have strong reason to believe that Missy, and I would rhink the others over time, will be aware that Jody is in that location in a physical sense.. as she is everywhere in an etherial sense. Such a “coming together” of all of us and our emotions… Hugs to all.
Of course Missy may have been checking for some food, but i’d like to think she was taking a moment to say, “good bye my dear. sweet friend. i am happy you are still present among the lilacs and we will continue to visit you.” What a touching moment.
I loved seeing Jody’s garden. I loved seeing Missy exploring the new addition to the hill. Perhaps she understood the significance of it all. (Or perhaps she was looking to see if cherry tomato plants had been included.) Fortunately you had a beautiful day to celebrate Jody.
Happy birthday dear Jody.
I heard this song the other day. Hadn’t heard it since my youth but hearing it now I somehow felt it was being sung for all of you and for your loss. For sanctuary. For Jody.
LOVE SONG
(Music & lyrics by Lesley Duncan, sung by Elton John)
The words I have to say
May well be simple but they’re true
Until you give your love
There’s nothing more that we can do
Love is the opening door
Love is what we came here for
No one could offer you more
Do you know what I mean
Have your eyes really seen
You say it’s very hard
To leave behind the life we knew
But there’s no other way
And now it’s really up to you
Love is the key we must turn
Truth is the flame we must burn
Freedom the lesson we must learn
Do you know what I mean
Have your eyes really seen
Love is the opening door
Love is what we came here for
No one could offer you more
Do you know what I mean
Have your eyes really seen
(Listen on YouTube : https://youtu.be/FFRFdx-RjLw)
Perfect, Kathleen…..for our dear Jody. I’m still missing her so much, like thousands of others, I’m sure. Still the tears flow when looking at her photos, but this one of her resting place with her favourite lilacs is just beautiful.
So moving. Thank you. And I believe Missy knew exactly where she was and was honoring Jody, as all of us are this weekend and always.
Me again! Did you take the usual video of the bovines heading out to their summer pasture? It’s always such fun to see their excitement.
J.B. did take a video! Perhaps he will post it the next time he writes the blog.
Thank you Diana, for including us by showing the lovely place where Jody is burried right on the hill she knew so well.
And I am convinced Missy felt Jody’s presence and was connecting with her energy.
I am curious to see if Negra will do the same….