You probably thought this was a post about how busy life is didn't you? Nope. Life is busy to be sure, but this is actually about a zoo. I have the good fortune to have an uncle who volunteers at the Louisville Zoo and on a recent trip there we spent the morning feeding the animals and catching up. My Uncle Jimmy is the one of the kindest, gentlest and smartest men I know. He is my father's older brother and I think he feels his loss almost as keenly as I do. They fought like most brothers do, but yet did everything together. They talk the same, have the same mannerisms and tell the same stories. Every time he tells one where my father did something ridiculous I gently remind him he's prone to the same. When he rolls his eyes and smiles I see my father. Unnerving and beautiful all at the same time. He grew up in a time when a career in public service was respected. So when he graduated from law school and started working on social issues he wasn't looked upon as choosing a less lucrative branch, but serving a purpose for the greater good that would provide payback through the good he would accomplish.
In his later years he still can't bear to be idle and so he volunteers all over the place. His favorite seems to be the zoo. He loves the animals but more than that he respects them. Our morning at the zoo was no less than magical. I can tell you that giraffes like to flirt, apes smell horrible and that no matter what safeguards stand between you and a lion, your heart will skip a beat when he's near. I hope you enjoy this small glimpse of these majestic animals.
I was unaware a career in public service is no longer respected.
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