The woman in the above picture is keepers as we looked in the year 2000.  Actually, this is a picture of Terrence (our 7 year old boy alter).  To the left is our John Michael in the red baseball cap.  For the life of me, I can not remember the names of the two baby tigers that we are holding in our arms.  However, I clearly remember that the cubs were two months old and feisty as can be–especially the one Terrence was holding.  Not shown are our daughter and her then boyfriend (whom later became her husband) holding two other little tigers.  This was one of the last afternoons we got to spend with our daughter before she moved to the west coast.  That alone made this day very special for keeper.

But the fact that JM and keepers got to have such close up contact with both cubs and adult lions and tigers was an experience that was awesome in every way.  As you can see, we had lots of fun holding the cubs.   In fact, all keepers were so enthralled that every one of us seemed to be paying attention that day.  But, the close up encounters with the adult lions and tigers was the most remarkable experience ever.  All that stood between them and us was chain link fence.  The adult big cats were in cages made only of chain link fence.  Some were in huge cages that gave them plenty of room to move around.  Others were in smaller cages that allowed less movement for the animal but enough that they were not unhappy of overly confined.

One of the smaller cages held an adult female tiger who had been abused by a man when she was just a cub.  In adulthood, this female tiger reacted quite viciously if a man even approached her cage.  For this reason, JM had to stay further back but keepers could get much closer to the tiger.  It was interesting to hear how only a woman could enter this tiger’s cage to feed her or clean up after her.  I guess even in the animal kingdom abusive experiences affect the animal on a lifelong basis which breaks keeper’s hearts.

Then, there was Zeus–a full grown male lion who weighed in at 700 pounds.  Needless to say, Zeus was in a very large cage that gave him plenty of room to roam and play.  The owner told us how it turned out to be impossible to breed Zeus as he was so arduous with female lions that he wound up killing them in the throws of passion. While the owner was telling us about Zeus, we were standing right next to the chain link fence of his cage.  All of a sudden, we heard the roar of this gigantic lion.  We turned around to see Zeus at the other end of the cage and charging toward our John Michael.  Thank heavens for the strong chain link cage because that was all that stopped Zeus in his tracks!!!!!!!!!!!!

In our lifetimes, keepers have had some experiences that were just awesome for us.  Most of these were while our external children were growing up. Keepers tend to remember only how we fell short as mothers and to forget the magnificent experiences we had during those years.  Recently, someone suggested we bring back those good memories to the forefront for keepers and let the rest go.  That is why keepers are going back and sharing some of the neat things we have gotten to do over the years.  It is helping us to find a balance where we can let go easier and begin to focus on the future with more hope.

Tomorrow, keepers are going to share with our experience of being a clown for Mission Carnival at a local church.  That was a lot of fun, too, but I will tell you all about it in my next blog.

peace and blessings,

keepers