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Jan 4
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Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Thank you for putting such beautiful words to this, and I just love how you put it here: "Tangible objects can collapse time." Wow, so very true. Along with "geography like that being disorienting." Grateful for these insights.

Paige Rideout's avatar

Incredible. Let your adventure back to Africa refill your beautiful soul. I hope you get to reunite with familiar faces—human and nonhuman alike.

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Thank you PQP, for your steadfast presence in my life and on this blog. You will be traveling with me in spirit! <3

Grace Brown's avatar

I feel the love in your words. Enjoy your return!

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Means so much, Grace, thank you always!

Susan Nordin's avatar

Safe travels! I have also had the delight of visiting Sheldrick. In 2019 I was able to be in the presence of the elephants and their caregivers, nursing them to freedom. What a joy for you to return! Blessings on your way!

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Oh Susan, how wonderful that you have been there and enjoyed the Garden of Eden they bring to life every day. I will look forward to more discussion about our shared experiences when I am home, and thank you for the ways you inspire me in your own work.

Susan Nordin's avatar

I look forward to it as well. It makes me smile to know that you find inspiration in my work, as I do in yours.

Julie C's avatar

I just can't wait to hear more of your adventures on your return to Africa!! I delight in your prose, i can feel myself there among the wild creatures. Love and hugs, and prayers for safe travels!! 💕

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Love you, Auntie, and it's so special to me that you have been there and know her beauty so well. I look forward to sharing with you on the other side! 💕

Susan J Tweit's avatar

May your return to the Motherland bring you all you imagine, and more! Thank you for sharing your wonder and your joy. Many blessings on your trip and your life there.

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

So grateful, Susan, many thanks and blessings to you as you keep cultivating terraphilia.

Alissa Bonnell's avatar

Have a good journey! I can't wait to hear what new gifts of insights will be given to you from Mother Nature.

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Thank you precious cousin, and I can't wait to share with you and learn more about yours in recent weeks and months! <3

John Muntges's avatar

What an extraordinary opportunity, Stephanie! I look forward to hearing about your visit. Safe travels. P.S. So, "baobab" is not just a crossword puzzle word - remarkable!

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

This made me chuckle John, and thank you so much for your kind words and presence.

I Wonder...'s avatar

I'm so excited for you! I can't wait to hear your stories after you return. Your writing is so stunningly descriptive that I feel I am standing there with you! I love what Paige said, "...to Africa to refill your soul". No words truer.

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Love you Black Horse!!!! Thank you for your friendship and excitement about this trip. <3

Maya Sarin's avatar

Beautiful! I’d love to visit Africa one day. Have a great trip!

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Thank you, Maya! I hope you can get there one day.🌏🐘

Jennifer Hillman's avatar

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Georgena Felicia LPCC's avatar

Wonderful post! Congrts on your future trip, looking forward to the next wave of updates. I'm reminded I "fostered" via donation to Sheldrake maybe 3 different baby elephants. "Imbegu" I remember as the name of like the first fellow (spelling could be off). Sadly, I'm not finding the drawings and records I would have accrued from about 2013, 2014, 2015. Did you by chance meet Imbegu? You're writing and photos bring it all back!

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Thank you Georgena, so grateful for your kind heart and to have you here as a reader. I love that you are a Sheldrick donor and I went on a search for your adoptee. I found her, she is the matriarch of Voi! Here she is: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/mbegu I will look for her when I am there!!!!

Georgena Felicia LPCC's avatar

Thanks to you!!! I've also found Ndotto, who along with Mbegu I had adopted for a years period about 2019 - 2020. I have re-adopted both, knowing they're are now 11 years old or so. I saw this and will try to research what is being referenced about Ndotto.

"November ended with a welcome return. After the herd headed out to the browsing fields one morning, ex-orphan Ndotto ambled into the stockades. We were so surprised to see the gentle giant, as he had not visited since the kidnapping drama. We know that Naipoki, Nsimba, Rorogoi, Mbegu, and Ngilai must be in the area, as he had last been seen with that little herd."

Now I am so excited about your trip - dates? And all the more engaged with your posts. I feel like a reunion with my little guys has taken place. Thrilled they're still alive and thriving.

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

This made my soul soar!!!!!! I leave today! In several hours, in fact. It just elates me that you can now reconnect with dear dear Ndotto and Mbegu and I hope to see them both when I am there. If I am so lucky, I will take photos. I return early February so it's a long trip. Thank you for caring so deeply for all beings. Meeting people like you is a healing balm!

Georgena Felicia LPCC's avatar

BON VOYAGE X3; 🥰🐘🦒🐅🦓

Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Wild warmth, wisdom, wit,

weight, wonderful writing, wings~~~

What the world needs now!

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Thank you for bringing your wild warmth everywhere Marisol! <3

Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Ohhh, you're taking many and a part of all of us with you when you return to the Motherland~~~

I'll keep looking for the baby Baboon...

Bell blessings be***

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Thank you for traveling with me Marisol. It deepens the journey for me immeasurably!

If you look on the left, she appears ever so briefly!!!! <3

Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Awwwwwww, found them now... they appeared long enough for a huge love burst!!! Thanks***

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Aren't they just precious??!! Thank you for your appreciation of this beautiful universe Marisol. You heal my heart.

Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Precious beyond words!

May mutual flourishing prevail.

Mary Booker's avatar

Safe and wonderful journeying.

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Thank you Mary! And may this new year bless and keep you.

Leanda Michelle's avatar

What a precious gift Stephanie... a Vulturine Guinea Fowl tail feather from a stunning bird. I love these gifts too! Restful reintegration to you. Hugs. xx

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

Thank you for understanding the joy of a falling feather, Leanda. Grateful for you!

Avis Begoun's avatar

As I wait for you in the Istanbul airport to get on a plane with me to Nairobi, I’m reading this incredibly lush writing about your last trip.

Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

What a delight to see this comment tonight, Avis! And I can't believe our planes were like passing ships in the night. TRULY excited to share this experience with you and Paula, my heart is so full! <3