Tim's Tales: 'Stories last with us and can change us'

It’s a powerful poem which for me conveys the idea that the most meaningful memorials to someone who has died are not sculptured monuments, but the essence of their love and life left in people’s hearts and memories.

So the true hallowed ground is in our hearts and souls.

“But where’s their memory’s mansion? Is’t

Yon churchyard’s bowers?

No! in ourselves their souls exist,

A part of ours.”

This poem came to my mind as I watched a short film this week called Famous Last Words.

It was an interview with Jane Goodall, who died on the first day of this month at the age of 91.

Her life has been both famous and impactful in so many ways.

Her inspirational work and study of chimpanzees was just one aspect of her contribution to our understanding of the natural world, helping us make the connections.

As she said, we are nature too, and as we destroy habitats and ecosystems, we are destroying what we need as well.

Her work included establishing a project called Roots & Shoots, which works with young people to promote international understanding, encourage kindness and respect, and support community action for a sustainable and better world.

Such work is needed more than ever, and of course will continue.

The interview was filmed when she knew she was in the final years of her life, but it was purposely not released until after her death.

She knew that she would no longer be living when people viewed her, so she was speaking about her life but also the things she would like to say while “looking down from above”.

It was her final words to us after a remarkable life.

Of the dark times that are engulfing the world today, she said: “It’s no good fighting with the head, because they’re not going to listen… You’ve got to reach the heart… To reach the heart, you can usually do it with a story.”

Those words struck me as such a powerful truth.

Stories last with us and can change us.

They can scaffold our memories and our values; they can live in our hearts.

Of course, the darkness in so many souls just now is also a result of stories, but ones forged by hatred and ignorance, fear and disconnection.

Stories need listening as well as telling, and when we refuse to listen to stories that challenge us, we are no longer storytellers.

What we need, what our threatened wildlife needs, what our damaged planet needs, are stories of wonder, and awe, stories of understanding, love and connection.

Stories that promote belonging and relationship.

We need stories that shine from the light side of what it means to be human, stories that give those who feel powerless a sense of hope and empowerment.

Such stories are the ‘Hallowed Ground’ Jane Goodall has bequeathed us.

Many people will miss Jane’s presence and influence in this hurt, torn world, myself included.

But, while her physical absence is deeply sad, she will live on in many people’s hearts.

As Thomas Campbell wrote:

“And is (s)he dead, whose glorious mind

Lifts thine on high?–

To live in hearts we leave behind

Is not to die.”

We can all do this of course; we will all live in the hearts of those we leave behind.

And, just like Jane, we can leave our light after our candle has gone out.

You don’t have to be famous or travel far – your life will impact on those you love, those in your community, with strangers who were companions you just don’t know.

The essence of your life will one day be your hallowed ground. Use it to make a difference.

That was Jane’s final message to us.

“You have it in your power to make a difference; don’t give up. There is a future for you; do your best while you’re still on this beautiful planet Earth… that I look down upon from where I am now.”