Dr. Jane

Jonathan and I had the opportunity to attend a talk by Dr. Jane Goodall this past Saturday at the Memphis Zoo. This is a time when I wish I already had an elementary-aged child or two, since by the time we have kids of that age, Dr Goodall will probably have left us.
It was exciting to hear her first hand account of observing chimpanzees making and using tools. We also learned about several conservation programs she has started, including sustainable community organizing and youth education. She challenged all of us to think about how blessed we are to live in a city with clean air, clean water, and green spaces. She also challenged us to change some of our habits to help conservation: drinking our good tap water instead of bottled water, eating locally grown food, walking/biking/using public transportation instead of driving our cars, and living a less materialistic lifestyle in which we feel we deserve to consume as much as we can afford. She is not just encouraging conservation in Memphis. Dr. Goodall travels 300 days out of the year speaking about her life's work and how we can continue it. Her youth education program about conservation is active is 101 countries around the world.
One of the sweetest things she said Saturday was in response to all of us huddled under a pavillion due to the rain shower that morning: "The Good Lord sent the rain to bless the earth, and for that we should be thankful.". She said it with a smile, and I - despite being cold and wet - couldn't help but smile along with her.