It has been a long time since I've written a blog post. To be honest, I've been dealing with some depression off and on over the past few months. It's hard being isolated from all my friends and being unable to do the things I normally enjoy like lunches with friends, movies, vacations . . .
It was wonderful when the zoo reopened and that has become my place of relaxation and renewal! And we have an adorable baby moose!! Atka came to us at about 10 weeks old having been orphaned in Alaska. He is now almost 5 months and still gets a couple of bottles a day - big moose-sized bottles. He is quite the cute little guy and enjoys "zooming" around his enclosure. His keepers have had to baby-proof his outdoor area as it is quite large with some obstacles that are fine for a full-grown moose, but could be tricky for a little guy. It will be so fun watching him grow and eventually get his antlers. We lost our older moose about 10 weeks before Atka came to us and that enclosure just seemed so empty. What a wonderful thing that we now have a new baby to enjoy and love.
This morning was the funeral service of a friend and former student, Don Ward. The family invited me to come but I'm still not comfortable being indoors for long periods of time and so I told his sister, Cindy, that I would be there in spirit. Don was a very important person to our entire community as he was one of the evening newscasters for KKTV here in the Springs. So the entire city, and beyond, are mourning his passing. It was very unexpected. He was hiking Mount Cameron with friends over the weekend and collapsed just below the summit. They think it was a heart attack. He was only 55.
I had just seen and visited with him a couple of weeks ago at the newsroom. I was interviewed regarding my participation in the Phase 3 Covid vaccine trial. When I finished with the interview Don had a few minutes and we sat down and chatted - about everything! He was a student of mine in the late 70s at Sabin Junior High. I really enjoyed having him in my French and Drama classes. He was quite gifted as a student and as a performer. In fact, he went on to study drama at CU and then found his true calling as a TV reporter. Our paths have crossed numerous times over the many years that we have known each other. He was funny, bright, talented, generous and a loving son, brother and uncle to his family. So I have been a little weepy the past few days.
Towards the end of the live stream broadcast of Don's service this morning, I received a text and photo from France of Hélène and Giuseppe's grandson, Raphael. It seemed so fitting that I would be saying goodbye to one friend who just left this world and then say hello to a tiny soul who had just entered this world. This was the first time since Covid that H and G have been able to see their only grandchild! His parents live in England and travel between there and France has been on hold for many months. But finally it worked out for their daughter to bring little R to see his grandparents. What a special gift! I loved seeing the photo of Hélène holding her grandson. What joy! I hate that I can not make it to France this year. I have made and canceled reservation 3 times now. Will look forward to 2021! Won't we all!!
I was going to entitle this "The Lingering Virus, The Vaccine Trial and the Lost Vacation", but then decided on a different approach. However, I do want to let you know that I will be getting the second vaccine shot on Tuesday. They say that if anyone has any side effects that it will happen after the second shot. So I have nothing on my calendar for Wednesday or Thursday just in case. But I do have reservations for the zoo on Friday. I need something to look forward to!
We have 100 dogs coming in on a rescue later today and will do intake on them Monday afternoon. That is something I always enjoy - welcoming all those precious pups to freedom. For most of them, this is the first time they have ever been handled with kind, loving hands. The ending of a horrible life and the beginning of a wonderful life.
If you would like to know more about Don, you can google him on facebook. He loved travel, music, writing, and photography - and his family! You can see what a talented and caring man he was. Our community will miss his presence for many years to come.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I felt like I needed (for my own sake) to write about Don. But I also wanted to show that life is precious and we all must enjoy what we can and cherish those moments that bring us happiness. May you all find joy in this difficult time. I send my love and hugs to all.
