Merry Christmas!!! This time of year always puts me in mind of one the happiest of authors: international conservationist, humorist, and consummate observer of both man and animal, Gerald Durrell. Many holiday seasons ago during my keeper years, I found myself at a private Memphis residence (Mrs. Lee Durrells parents home), sitting face-to-face with my childhood idol-- the man who had shaped my life more than any other on the planet-- talking of kakapo, aye-ayes, and bad zoo architecture, to name a few topics. As we talked and laughed, he off-handedly doodled in the two books that I had brought for him to sign, creating a whimsical animal cartoon in each that I treasure. Gerald Durrell was a wonderful man, everything that I had ever imagined him to be: warm, kind, funny, and even interested in a lowly zookeeper like me. I cherish that long-ago afternoon almost 24 years ago. Though Gerry died in 1995, I can reach for one of his timeless and very funny books whenever I feel the need to be close to him again. Thank you, Mr. Durrell, for all that you gave to me-- and to the world. Your legacy will never be forgotten.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 21:26:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015