The silverback is the center of attention. He makes all the decisions, determines group movements, mediates conflicts, and locates food. Grooming strengthens the bonds within the group.

One door closed and I thought, well, I'm going to open up a window of opportunity. So, I wrote to Dian Fossey. A month later, I get a letter back from Dian inviting us to Karisoke. I was so happy; I've never been so happy in my entire life.

I love to see how the places we’ve visited have changed over time. After 32 years away, we were struck by the intersection of modern and traditional in Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri). You just don't see a motorcyclist delivering a bunch of chickens everywhere you go.

My husband David and I first visited the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in 1985 as volunteers for Dian Fossey. Our experience back then compared to our return visit to see the gorillas again in 2017 was vastly different. Whereas the first go-round, I was terrified I’d break one of Dian’s gorilla etiquette rules (which I did and always with consequences). This time, it was like dinner with old friends.

I absolutely love to read. It’s what I do when I’m not writing and working on the final drafts of “Voices from the Mist.” Today, I want to share with you a book that absolutely blew my mind. It’s the book by Dr. Bruce Lipton, “The Biology of Belief.” This book explores his discoveries about our cells and how they affect our lives.

Have you made choices based on the toxic voice in your head that bombards you with all the reasons you can’t, couldn’t, or shouldn’t do something? I have — and they haven’t been my best decisions.