Category Archives: Kindness

Elephants and A Very Special Day

Lomphat and Chanam and The Wildlife Alliance

Many of you know that I love elephants. I adore the way they swing their trunks and I am enamored by the fact that they do such a wonderful job of protecting their offspring. Did you know that when they walk from one place to another they put the more mature elephants in the front and back of the line and the youngsters in the middle? They do that to protect the young elephants. And, elephants have an amazing memory. They remember where to get water and their land routes, can recognize friends from years ago, and know every member of their heard. They even mourn their dead and can create melodies.

With all of that said, I would like to recognize The Wildlife Alliance in Cambodia ( https://www.wildlifealliance.org/from-rescue-to-recovery-baby-elephants-on-the-move/) for rescuing and caring for two young elephants in need of urgent care last year. The elephants, Lomphat and Chanam, are healing, doing well and have gained some weight.

I also wish to remind you of Endangered Species Day 2026 which takes place on May 15th. If you can, donate your time or money to an animal welfare organization.

Thank you again for being kind to animals. They need us more than ever!

Amazing – Elephants and Pajamas

The baby elephant wouldn’t stop trembling.
She had lost her mother to poachers — pacing in circles beside her body, too frightened to eat, too exhausted to sleep.

Dr. Roxy Danckwerts watched helplessly that night. Blankets, lullabies, soft words — nothing eased the calf’s shaking.
Then she remembered something small, almost silly: pajamas.

Years ago, she had sewn one for another orphan, and it worked — the soft fabric mimicking a mother’s touch.
So she did it again. Under lantern light, she stitched cotton covered in tiny moons and stars, each thread a quiet promise.

When she slipped the pajamas over the calf’s trembling body, the little one froze… then sighed.
And for the first time since losing her mother, she slept.

From that night on, every rescued calf received a handmade pair — blue, pink, patterned with elephants or stars.
When dressed, they stopped trembling, leaned into their caretakers, and found the courage to rest.
“They don’t just need medicine,” Roxy said. “They need comfort.”

The sanctuary’s sewing room became a place of healing.
Each pajama held a story — of loss, survival, and love stitched by human hands.
And as the orphans grew strong enough to return to the wild, their tiny pajamas hung on the nursery wall — reminders of how gentleness can save a life.

At sunset, Roxy still listens for the faint trumpets echoing through the trees — her “kids,” wild again, free again.
Because sometimes, healing begins not with medicine,
but with a thread, a touch,
and a heart willing to care.

Jane Goodall

A great human being, scientist, and conservationist; Jane Goodall, died yesterday. She was 91 years old. She inspired millions, including me, and I will miss her greatly. She gave us all hope and made a wonderful difference in this world. Jane reminded us to take action, big or small, because in doing so it would help us feel better. As she said, we can all save water, behave respectfully with others, treat animals with kindness, help in soup kitchens or animal shelters, etc. Each one of us has an impact on this precious planet. It is up to us to decide what kind of impact we will have.

Here is a short video about her.

https://youtu.be/HdYfhPPBt0E

We Must and Can Do Better

As I sit down to write this blog I feel moved to say something about the children and animals who are currently starving and dying. In a world with so many riches and wealth I ask myself how can we let this happen? We must and can do better. Please help them. You can donate money to food banks, animal welfare organizations, or to zoos; you can volunteer your time at an animal shelter or you can call your elected officials and voice your opinions. Now is not the time to be silent. You may think that a small act does not make a difference. It does. All acts add up. Even if we can change one life for the better, we have made a choice, and taken a positive step forward. Thank you.

Rainbows

Life can afford us many surprises, and I was fortunate to see this double rainbow. I hope this photo and the following lyrics bring a smile to your face. This is one of my favorite songs, the Rainbow Connection and was sung by Kermit the Frog and the Muppets.

“Someday we’ll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La lala la lala la la la lala la la

Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows
And what’s on the other side
Rainbows are visions
They’re only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we’ve been told and some chose to
Believe it
But I know they’re wrong wait and see

Someday we’ll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it’s done so far
What’s so amazing
That keeps us star gazing
What so we think we might see

Someday we’ll find it
That Rainbow Connection
The lovers the dreamers and me

Have you been fast asleep
And have you heard voices,
I’ve heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound that calls
The young sailors
The voice might be one and the same
I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it
It’s something that I’m supposed to be”

Some Inspiration for 2024

Nicole Altneu

On this special day I take the opportunity to wish you many blessings, good health, and peace in the year.  I also shall share this poem by Emily Dickinson, one of my favorite poets.  It is part of the collection of 1,775 poems that were not published until after her death in 1186.

“If I can stop one heart from breaking

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.”

The Holidays

It is almost the end of the year — and for many it is a season of reflection, joy, sadness, cooking, making snow people, wearing sweaters, shopping and spending moments with loved ones. As we speed through the minutes and hours into tomorrow may we take a moment to be grateful for all of our blessings. May we take time to honor those animals, friends, relatives, or strangers who are no longer with us. And may we take time to enjoy the food we eat (that someone probably grew on her or his farm) and may we thank those, even strangers or pets, who show us kindness. You see, kindness does not cost anything and yet it gives us so much. A simple act of kindness has the power to bring the giver joy and good feelings, AND it brings the same to the receiver. So, at this time, I ask you to see if you can share some kindness today, no matter how big or how small. Thank you. May you have many blessings and peace in your heart.

Gratitude

We are about to enter into one of my favorite times of the year –the holiday season which encompasses Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas.  I realize that life is far from perfect and there are so many humans and animals that are suffering.  With that said, may we try to treat one another with kindness.  May we have gratitude for all of our blessings, and may we protect this world with all of its beauty.

Here is a photo of a monarch butterfly and a honeybee which unexpectedly came before me while I was walking in a nature preserve.  I was and am in such admiration of their magnificence and strength.  Most butterflies only live 2-6 weeks, and the ones which migrate from Mexico to North America can live from August or September to April.  Bees live 5- 7 weeks and are incredibly valuable to the planet.  One out of every three bites you put in your mouth was pollinated by honeybees. 

Remember, life is short and precious.  Live it mindfully and share your love with others.

Hope

I hope you all had a nice summer and enjoyed some time with your loved ones. There is so much hard news out there and devastating forest fires in Canada, the United States, Greece, Spain, Croatia and Vietnam. People and animals have lost their homes, and many died from smoke inhalation. And yet, I remain hopeful that we can turn this situation around. There are so many people working to mitigate climate change and make sure that the Earth’s temperatures stop rising and start to decline. So, this is message which is meant to be encouraging in its nature. In the words of so many, we can do this. We each, individually, and collectively, can make a difference to help our fellow humans, and the precious animals of the world. Please reduce your carbon footprints, eat less meat, consume less, and take a walk in a forest or swim in the ocean. I have said it previously, each minute counts. Each one of us matters, and we can positively impact the future.