Comments for Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas' Blog

Comment on Tired of Flying! by Cortney

Cortney — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:00:34 +0000

As usual, beautifully descriptive and full of imagery. I could see you on that plane, I could feel all of your words

Comment on Tired of Flying! by Cortney

Cortney — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:00:11 +0000

As usual, beautifully descriptive and full of imagery

Comment on Tired of Flying! by Barbara R Harsh

Barbara R Harsh — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:27:47 +0000

Dr. Birute,
Thank you for being so gracious to reply
to each respondent. Your reply is as eloquent
as your life & leadership. May I wish you &
your “family,” humans & orangutans, a safe harbor
Bless you for your optimism – your David to
the Corporate Goliaths. Take care.
Respectfully,

Comment on Tired of Flying! by drbirute

drbirute — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:35:52 +0000

Thank you for your warm and kind words. Your words humble me and I’m not quite certain how to reply.

Writing for me is a kind of rest as is being with orangutans or in the forest. I wish I could do more writing but by the time my work is done at night, there is only the wish for sleep.

We all have dreams and it’s never too late to follow them or even to approximate them. I still have a few more dreams I wish to follow eventually and hope I have the opportunity, time, strength, and energy to do so. (Among those dreams is the wish to observe bonobos in the wild as well as capuchins- not in the same place obviously. I suspect I’ll see the capuchins before the bonobos!)

And, of course, there is still my ultimate dream: helping orangutans survive in perpetuity in the wild.

Again, thank you for your inspiring comment.

P.S. Over 42 years ago, Jane Goodall and I went to see captive dolphins (something I probably would not do so now unless there was a good reason for it) and we shared the dream of actually studying dolphins in the wild. I wonder if Jane remembers.

Comment on Tired of Flying! by drbirute

drbirute — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:09:46 +0000

I just got off the plane 24 or so hours ago after being on planes for more than 24 hours. I lose track of time crossing the Pacific Ocean. And yes in answer to your comment, it’s appreciation of the little things, like the beauty in a cat’s face, the subtle scent of an exotic flower, and the occasional kindness from a stranger, that keep me happy and grounded. I am also very fortunate to have a very supportive family and magnificent friends.

I slow down mainly when I sleep.

Thank you for your gracious words.

Comment on Tired of Flying! by drbirute

drbirute — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:49:14 +0000

Thank you for your kind words. I fly a lot and my mind wanders. Sometimes the words just flow and end up being a poem. The deforestation is terrible; the conservation struggle never seems to end. But we are facing global greed, rampant corruption, and massive international corporations that don’t just destroy the forest but also leave the people in and near those forests ravaged and poor. Occasionally, there is a point of light or a merciful act that cheers the spirit and encourages us to fight on. But we have no choice because we really want endangered wildlife and their habitats to survive.

Comment on Tired of Flying! by Barbara R Harsh

Barbara R Harsh — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:32:10 +0000

Thank you! Your work, passions & dedication
prove there are true “lightworkers” still shining
in the dark. My deepest respect & heartfelt
pain for the battle you face everyday against
money over everything, everyone. This is
a system of inhumanity which devalues all things sacred.
animals, children, families – globally.
My fear is that you will continue to see rainforest
depletion at a rate that will continue to feed profit
machines at the cost of the entire planet.

Comment on Tired of Flying! by ryan

ryan — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:54:23 +0000

Whoa, that’s pretty heavy, Doc! Thanks for all the hard work you do. Hopefully you’re getting the opportunity to slow down and appriciate the little things when you arrive at your destination. Before whisking off again…

Comment on Tired of Flying! by cyn

cyn — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:13:17 +0000

dear Dr. Briute…

I read your poem and I can relate. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
Hopefully times will change and give you the needed rest you so deserve.

I often wonder how different my life would have been if i followed by dream, like you did and continue to do. I admire your strenght, your determination to save the people of the forest.

you opened our eyes and our hearts and taught us so much about them.
thank you Dr, thank you so much.

sincerely,
Cyn

Comment on Dylan by Lydia Kaya

Lydia Kaya — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:50:46 +0000

Dear Dr Galdikas,

I loved your poem. I hope to see more of them.
Love

Lydia Kaya