The Giraffes Welcome You...to Bushnell Sage Library in Sheffield MA!

What are the odds I would get settled into wanting to make a post (and needing some inspiration0 and then getting an impromptu tour by the designer of the giraffes at the Bushnell Sage Library in Sheffield?

It doesn't hurt that I happened to find a chance to talk with Grace Eastwood (for short) in the past week, and I had heard from a friend she had something to do with the installation of the three of the 9, 14. and 18- foot- tall giraffes, respectively named  Prince Edward, Newfy and Afri (short for  Prince Edward Island, New Foundland, and Africa sounds like Afree) in the children's wing of the former Sheffield School which is now... the Bushnell Sage Library. What started out as an inspiration by her husband and local librarian John C at the Catskill Game Farm when taking their 4-year-old son Robert to see the animals and being impressed with the giraffe there came to fruition twenty years later.

The turn of events that hatched the idea out involved a renovation of the building. Before demolishing the front part which no longer stands, the roof had  collapsed only months after closing as a school in 1993. The new wing is spacious off to the right now, and bits of history from the former school, which Grace's father Carl F had attended as a child. While he lived into his 90s without a lot of short-term memory, he could recall a friend from those days (who was lame and therefore had a car to assist him) and took their class to Pontoosac Lake in 1921. Carl graduated in 1922 just after turning 17.

(That happens to be the year my mother and father were both born so hats off to that entire generation for living the history we have all come to deeply appreciate, whether in WWII (which my dad was for a few years and a fortunate guy who had travelled for three years in the Coast Guard up to New Foundland and other icy waters). He fortuitously got off his ship due to a medical problem for good shortly before his ship hit an iceberg and sank with all the crew in icy waters from what he recalled in his 80s not long before he journeyed to the next realm.

Back to the giraffes however. Grace recalled the notion John had to make a life-like giraffe in the new library wing should it ever come round to being built. She realized the shape the building had and felt an 'ah-ha' moment of fitting the giraffe into the far end of the building. realizing the walls would be high enough to accommodate the vision. The whole turn of events of remembering and considering how to actualize the project rather snuck up on her. But she was more than happy to see whatever figuring and even engineering through to bring those giraffes 'to life' as it were. At times it seemed they were there all along and she was simply trying to help them come out from hiding for others to discover.

When I asked if she were the artist, she insisted she was the one 'who did what needed to be done'. If it meant drawing because her talented son, now in his 40s, were not feeling compelled to do so at her bidding, she did some sketches. With the help of some $50 total worth of three toy giraffes (which they still have and of course might make a nice addition sometime to the library experience, hint, hint), she got the 'footwork' down which was rather tricky without such models.

The construction and installation was not as daunting as it might seem when one first considers that these three savannah goliaths did not walk through the doors and hop into position by themselves. Rather, fiberboard was cut to use as much as possible, such as the midsection of the largest Prince Edward. There are certain 'spots' (none of which are round) in the shape of their respective namesake geographical landmarks

.( A quick aside is that I have been fortunate to see local productions of both The Jungle Book and The Lion King, Jr with Rafiki in Cornwall CT having competed in a state geography contest in Hartford CT the day of their opening night. He'll be in Willy Wonka Jr in Torrington at the Warner in May 2015 for those looking to see tomorrow's stars. His mom Leslie Elias runs the Grumbling Gyphons Children's Theatre programs which has a treasure trove of youtube videos for those not able to get to a lively show of African Folk Tales such as Anansi the Spider, mythical tales or more modern ecology themed plays such as The Ghost Net Mystery.)

While one giraffe was the original inspiration and dream to make come true, a lovely family of three sprang forth to complete the decor around the door (that's Newfy on the left and Afry on the right). An extra marking of Sheffield is above the Prince Edward Island shape too, to pay tribute to the home of the library and the giraffes. A sign above the stairs into the library reads "Where the Giraffes Live", not to be confused with Where the Wild Things Are, but no telling where one's imagination may take them.

I shared with Grace Campbell the idea that more libraries and schools (and other places public and private) could incorporate welcoming mascots such as Leo and Laura the Lions with a book people could share their stories of the day..where they are from, what they are hunting for at the library or in life..and any inspirations that have come their way as part of the flow of life. Well, I have said that to a few library directors and on my post, so let me know if that 'message in a bottle' lands with anyone..again, at home or in a more public gathering space. 

Maybe circle gardens (like the Turtle Garden ideas I have shared on this blog) or ones in the shape of an animal or two, maybe even a giraffe standing on the slope of a hill could be part of outreach plan as more people are coming to appreciate small, teaching spaces and ways for people to enjoy sharing in projects and even relaxing in nature.

I had told Grace about our teen son Kaelan passing away when trying to save a friend from the Housatonic River. She like many others sadly have had their own losses of people as well and has found ways to remember them. To me, this kind of place is the type of 'tree house and sense of adventure' spot for kids to enjoy I have dreamed of to have as a memorial tribute. Childhood lasts forever with new kids coming onto the planet and truly enlivening our lives and spaces. There is a reading gazebo with cushions for kids which adds a quiet fort to the mix of offerings at this special large library (complete with a big room and programs for all ages). One quote Grace shared was, "It's amazing the things you can do when you don't know you can't."

That touches on both the artistic endeavor she saw through with the support of her son and husband, who bought in readily to the idea once it was nicely in progress and brought to his attention. That also speaks to the great love and motivation our son pursued 'the unthinkable' and sadly the 'not quite achievable' from the river level, yet his friend was saved by a  heroic rope rescuer Skip Kosciusko from many feet above. None of that love and courage need be forgotten. Another person close to Kaelan recently posted, "If love could have saved you, you would have lived for eternity..."

We really miss him a great deal still, and sadly other tragic losses in the area or even in more public circles seem to be awakening our hearts collectively to the gift of people we know and help us grow in compassion for the shared struggles which claim lives, whether unexpectedly or more 'understandably'. Either way, it's not easy to have people in our lives 'gone for now..and while some believe that may be 'for good' in terms of forever many realize the value of memories shared and inspirations received on whatever level of those not present for us when changes occur. Not only in extreme cases of death or serious illness, but even with partings of relationships, moves and shifts over values or transactions.

Hard to know what will 'break a bond' between two or more people. One clue may be that our 'interpretation' of any event has as much to do with how we handle things in our hearts as much as any Event actually happened. The facts, harsh or disconcerting as they may be, are like 'history' so again, the way we come to view the turn of events, from feelings to actions and intentions of any of the people involved, can color our current analysis of a person, place, thing or event.

In terms of showing love and respect for life and others, that is much of what compels rescuers and good friends to go that extra mile, to put their neck on the lines--and yes, the gift and glory of a giraffes neck along with the staure and quiet and kindness in their eyes is a fitting image of the huge love many efforts from one and many strive to achieve in a crisis or over time.

That greater love and bravery to even to risk their lives needs to be balanced with a good risk assessment which often is done in trainings yet likely needs more practice and due consideration in life. More people are braving 'learning early on' to prevent danger of all kinds. Community police workshops to build repoire between law enforcement and citizens is becoming more common, with a program currently  underway right in Sheffield MA.

More schools and students are learning the need to 'walk away' or even to 'lock out' circumstances (most requiring appointments and some level of screening to enter a building.) The roads are more of a 'jungle situation' but again, more ideas to play fair and not be 'cheetah's could emerge to help folks feel ready and able to get to their destinations and home again with a sense of teamwork and fair play not unlike a friendly 5K Run or Walk for a Cause (many of which are springing up this time of year, and again merit some safety in terms of sharing the road, and crossing safely-- more kids need to hold hands with an adult to keep track of their big people even when getting off of a bus or going thorugh parking lots, etc).

Thanks for practicing good self-care and keeping an eye out for others of all ages and at all stages of life. A little connection and checking up can stave off more 'sudden twists and turns' in life. Not a bad idea to review whatever 'terms of communication and connection' one expects from those in one's life whether family, friends, dating, sharing in care for others, expecting help, rides, money (that huge Taboo topic) as loans, shared expenes or gifts, and overall 'game plan' ideas for 5-10 and even 20 years down the road when somehow some things change, but some things don't and some really cool things can happen too!

Maybe more posters or cut-outs of inspiring critters, plants, or places can find their way into public spaces as well as tips for sharing recipes, good ideas (even websites etc) can help spread the word to build community in simple helpful ways (I think I saw a poster along those lines). Thanks for doing your part to remember your dreams, find support, share ideas and tell a friend about what you've done, are doing or hope to do, someday!