Jane Goodall
Many times, I have heard famous or accomplished people relate stories that inspire me to be a better mother. On Monday, September 27th, we battled disorganization and a lack of vehicles to make a trip to a very special meeting to hear such a story--a visit from Jane Goodall.Our Roots & Shoots coordinator had called me many months before to tell me that Jane would be visiting our Roots & Shoots group sometime in September, but we didn't have an exact date. When she called to give me the date and time, it happened to be on a Monday afternoon, which was choral practice day, and we also happened to be without a vehicle, since both our van and Jeep had broken down and were in the process of being repaired.
I sent an e-mail to my dear friend R. who has a passenger van and asked if he might be able to spare it for the day. Very kindly, he allowed us to use his van, and we were on our way!
Getting out of the house is always stressful for me. This day seemed to be so very high on the stress charts that I'm surprised we all survived. There were bad attitudes running through the family, disorganization was running rampant, and we were still in the process of trying to prepare for our family gathering. Shooing everyone to the van, I gathered all of our necessary things (diaper bags, choir supplies, and the parents' association snack I had signed up to take to choir. Oh, and the camera, the things the kids wanted to give to Jane Goodall, our friend's dog Stuart, who we'd been keeping for the week. And, of course, the kids). After a blowup with my dad over some stupid little issue that was just big enough to put us behind schedule, we left the driveway. About 3/4 of the way down the lane, Sweetheart yelled out that she'd forgotten her shoes! It wasn't until I had pulled out of the drive, turned around and pulled back into the drive that she realized she really did have them!
Feeling overwhelmed, we made our way quickly to the high school where Jane would be speaking. All the way, the kids were grumbling and complaining, feelings had been hurt in our attempt to get out of the house on time, and tensions were running high.
When we arrived at the school, none of us was speaking to the other. I found it impossible to hide my frustration when approached by my friend Sara* and her daughters. "I don't think I'll go anywhere again as long as I live," I sighed. "When I get home, I'm locking myself in my bedroom with a bottle of wine and I'm never leaving the house again." This is a pretty desperate statement for me.
I don't drink.
Our group coordinator, Geo, has wanted to meet Jane for many years. She calls it a dream of hers to meet Jane Goodall. So even had I not wanted to be there, I would have gone just to see Geo meet Jane and take a few photos.
Geo and Jane
But, the thing is, I DID want to be there. I wanted my children to meet this woman who had pursued her interests, who had pressed on in the face of adversity, and who had found creative ways to meet her goals. To me, it seemed a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with one of the great women of our time, and I didn't want my kids to miss it. For that matter, neither did I.
Monet, Sweetheart, Bard and Houdin listening to Jane speak
So I took photos, watched and listened as people talked about how Jane's life had inspired them, about what they've been doing to help their communities and their environments.
While she spoke, I thought about a story I'd heard Jane once tell and I thought I'd ask her to tell it again, but before I had a chance, she began the story, which is told on her website:
Jane recalls, "I have been interested in animals since before I can remember. When I was four years old, I stayed on a farm where I helped to collect hen's eggs. I became puzzled and asked those around me, 'Where is the hole big enough for the eggs to come out?' When no one answered to my satisfaction, I hid in a small, stuffy hen house for some four hours to find out. When my mother saw me rushing toward the house, she noticed my excitement. Instead of scolding me for disappearing for so long (the family had even called the police!), she sat down and listened to me tell the wonderful story of how a hen lays an egg."
Jane's favorite books as a child were about animals, including
The Story of Dr. Dolittle, The Jungle Book, and the Tarzan books. By the age of 10 or 11, Jane dreamed of going to Africa to live with animals. This was quite a radical aspiration in those days, as young girls did not think of embarking on such "wild" adventures. But Jane had encouragement from her mother who told her, "Jane, if you really want something, and if you work hard, take advantage of the opportunities, and never give up, you will somehow find a way."
This was so inspiring to me, I almost cried. In this bit of story, Jane summed up the very reason why I want my children to learn at home. She didn't say that she was given the freedom to learn these things in school. She didn't cite as her inspiration an incident with a teacher or other person. Where she learned one of her most valuable lessons was at home. The person who gave her such encouragement and inspiration was her own mother.
This both inspires and humbles me.
I learn this lesson very hard. So often, I get tired, cranky, distracted and selfish, and I find it very difficult to give five children the inspiration and encouragement that they need. Even on that day, after meeting Jane, I was frustrated and angry because of the constant bickering that my children do.
But, I have to look at the big picture. My children inspire me, too.
After all of the other adults and children lined up asking Jane for her autograph or asking her to have their photo taken with them, my children approached her.
First it was Houdin. He had adapted the classic paddle trick, personalizing it so that, when he had finished the trick, he produced a gift for Jane. The trick goes like this...you show a person both sides of stick which has nothing but rubber bands wrapped around it. After "waving your hand" over the stick, suddenly, five pennies appear under the bands! Show the audience both sides of the stick again, proving that the pennies and bands are on both sides of the stick, and then wave your hands to drop the pennies and bands in her hand. Show her both sides of the stick to show that they're blank and empty, wave your hand, and then...Presto! The stick has the word "Jane" written across it. :-) Jane was amazed and graciously accepted the gift Houdin gave her.
Jane and Houdin
The trick was even more touching since, during her talk, Jane had shared about a friend of hers who had given her a stuffed monkey (not a chimp...it had a tail) and that her friend had been blind for many years. He had wanted to become a magician, but everyone told him that he wouldn't be able to do that because of his lack of sight. Not only does he do magic, she says, but he snorkles, climbs and sky dives! This was another inspiring story of setting one's mind to something and not giving up, in spite of others' discouragement.
Monet had drawn a beautiful picture of a chimp and gave it to Jane. He showed her the postcard he had modeled it from, and she offered to sign the postcard for him. At first, she tried to give the drawing back, not realizing that it was a gift, but Monet told her that it was just for her. She asked him to sign his drawing while she signed the postcard, which had been a gift from Bard to Monet from her trip to St. Louis.
Jane, Monet and Sweetheart
Sweetheart had also made a drawing for Jane...suns, moons and stars plus an invitation to our Open House. :-) While waiting, Sweetheart had accidentally spilled pink punch all over the drawing, but this didn't stop her from handing it over, and it didn't stop Jane from taking it. "Oh, this is covered in a delightful pink goo!" Jane commented. :-)
In retrospect, I see that my children have been allowed to pursue their interests at home, and that they delight in sharing those interests with others.
I still have a long way to go. I lose my patience daily. I think that's why it's so very important to have people like Jane Goodall who share their inspiring stories and keep us motivated and sustained.
*Footnote: Sara so kindly remembered my desperate comment and brought me a bottle of wine as a housewarming gift. Thank you, Sara. :-)
The rest of the photos of our meeting with Jane Goodall are
