Today, I want to talk about the importance of dreams. Rather than encourage Dian to follow her dream of studying gorillas in Africa, her parents discouraged it.

One key to happiness is to always have something to look forward to. For me, it’s exotic travel and helping animals. Once I decide what I’m going to do, like the Nike slogan, I “Just Do It.”

My husband David and my love of animals and primates, in particular, led us down the path to become friends with Dian Fossey. We’d volunteered with Biruté Galdikas, Dian’s colleague, in Borneo in July of 1984 and loved it.

I'm retracing my steps with my friend Dian Fossey, whose passion for mountain gorillas led to their narrow escape from extinction. Dian had childhood aspirations of becoming a veterinarian; however, early academic struggles transformed her dream into a legendary one. Her deep-seated desire to help animals is one of the most remarkable modern-day species survival accounts we have.

For Dian Fossey, Christmas was an epic event. Perhaps her unhappy childhood made her long for a traditional and joyful celebration, one she could take to the nth degree. She had always given gifts and candies to children in nearby villages. Once Dian established Karisoke, she invited her staff, their spouses, and children to join in the festivities every year.

As I look back on 2020, it's been a year of turning challenges into opportunities. Restricted driving days saved us a lot of money on gas. I like the idea of hand sanitizer outside every business — it makes me conscious of my health and the health of others, even people I don't know. I've had more time to write.