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Thursday, November 23, 2000 El Día de las Gracias Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. We are on our way back down to Ranger Station 2 -- counting dolphins as we go. We will stop at 1:00 for our Thanksgiving dinner. In the spirit of the day, we will set a table on the top deck so that all the crew can dine with us. We will decorate with our bright pink toilet paper, set a candle on the table and all give thanks for the many good things in our lives What We Each Are Thankful For This is the first time I have celebrated Thanksgiving, and there are
many things for which I am very grateful, but I believe that I should
only mention now a few things that come to mind: to God for all of the
energy invested in this world; to the sun which is the fountain of heat
and life; thanks to the drops of water that form the river and the oceans
and quenches my thirst; thanks to the farmer that works from sunup to
sundown and gives his life so that I may feed from his efforts; thanks
to the forests—the refuges of the animals, their shade and food;
thanks to the animals that dwell on the earth, thanks and to them I
ask forgiveness for all the damage that we do to them; thanks to my
family, friends and all that walk with me.
I am thankful for this opportunity to make one last trip to the Pacaya-Samiria
Reserve—one last time for who knows how long to see the waters
rise and fall, to hear the macaws fly screaming by overhead, to look
for the monkeys rustling in the trees, and to watch the dolphins that
I love so much. I am grateful for the family and friends that have stood
by me this wonderful, difficult year, and for all those friends, new
and old, who have explored these rivers with me. Happy Thanksgiving
to my family, and I am thankful that I will see you soon! I want to thank my companions that have accompanied me in this year
of work; to God for giving me the energy and health to continue fighting
for the wellbeing of my children; to all of the passengers who in the
course of these trips have shared with me their friendship—to all
of them I say thank you. On this special day I would like to thank God for blessing me with
life, for giving me health, and for all of the good things that He has
given my family and me. I ask the Lord to give me strength to keep fighting
in this life that can be so difficult, and the strength to achieve my
goals. "Thanks be my Lord for our Sister Water, Who is serviceable, good
and pure; Praised be my Lord for the birds of the air ... and the many
fish that teem in the waters..." And thanks, too, to my family, friends,
and colleagues who knew that my returning to the Amazon could be a bit
dicey, but who have supported me none the less. Mom, save me a piece
of pumpkin pie! I only want to thank God, for keeping my family well. Thank you for
protecting my daughter Sunny while I am away. Horacio I am thankful
for my family, friends, and the chance to share Tamara's last trip up
and down the river. I am also thankful that I am able to provide for
my basic needs and therefore have the opportunity to follow my dreams. I am thankful for a wonderful family, good health, opportunities,
and a world full of wonderful things to see and do. To my sweetie! I
love you and miss you. This day I am thankful for the sky I see. The air I breath and the
water I drink this day. To my family I miss very much this day. I am thankful that I have had in my life many opportunities to visit
so many pristine places in the world. More though, I am thankful for
the people in my life who I love and am loved by. |
