• » report

Posted 6:08 pm November 20th, 2008

First and foremost, I would like to thank Bill for a beautiful realistic view of my Mom, Ann Young. I would like to apologize for having taken so long to respond to all the amazing heartfelt comments posted on Bills Site by those that shared so much of my mother’s life over the last 30 years. I have, on many occasions, logged in to read them and attempt to respond but could never find myself to finish. Then it hit me, she would soooo not be have wanted me to wrestle with tears simply to say Thank you and to tell everyone that we must get on with our lives. She would have wanted me to remind us all that we are still here and that each day is a gift, to smile and hug those you love and even those you don’t know and to “Get Back To Work”.

I will not lie, although she raised strong minded kids, there isn’t a day gone by since August 31^st that I do not catch myself thinking of her, shedding a tear or how lucky I was to have her as a Mother. Birds aside, boy, I can hear her now on that one, how many kids can brag about their mom taking them to rock concerts to see Aero Smith, Pink Floyd, Robert Plant, Cher, Sarah Brightman even Elvis not once, but twice!  She couldn’t drive a car as we all know but she did have her own motorcycle at one time and spent many a days riding thru the woods with my father and sister at our weekend campground. Yes, folks, there was a time when Ann Young was a mother to non feathered children and provided us with just as much love and compassion as she did with each of you and her feathered kids after we flew the coup.

About the coup! After learning that I have inherited the coup known as THE ANN YOUNG WILD BIRD REFUGE, for a split second I thought of taking my memories and her many, many, many things and moving on with my life. It would be far easier to deal with her loss and not having to be reminded of it every time the door bell rang at 205 Robin Road. That changed instantly within a few days of her death. A longtime friend came by with a baby bird. I was working in the front yard when he walked towards me with a step of complete confidence, box in hand, that Ann would take care of it and that it would soon fly free again. This was the first time that I had had to tell someone with a bird, that she was gone. Instead of crying, he stood confidently and replied, what do you mean she isn’t here, she is always here, anytime, day or night, what do I do? Several encounters later I was convinced that there was no way I could let her refuge or legacy die with her. And to my complete surprise, I looked forward towards it and found that I was completely supported by numerous volunteers, friends and donations. It was, just as much about the birds as it was about Mom!

I don’t think in a million years that my mother would have thought that someone would step up and take over the commitment it required to do what she did and I know personally, she never expected it to be me. But I am, and are now not only gearing up for the upcoming baby season 2009 with her volunteers, we are working to reopen as a 501(c)(3) as well! My goal is to take The Ann Young Wild Bird Refuge into the future so that even after we have all passed, it will continue providing the care , love and commitment as she had all those years.

It won’t be easy, but nothing ever is that’s worth something, RIGHT!

Please, keep what she has taught you in the way she did, in your heart and remember the refuge should you wish to volunteer or have a wild injured bird.

I can be reached at theannyoungwildbirdrefuge@yahoo.com and soon hopefully bring her lifes work to the web, sharing her llife and work with the world.

Thank you for my strength Mom,

I love you

Billy Young

 

 

 

• » report

Posted 8:50 pm November 10th, 2008

Oh my,  I just found out  that, Ann is gone,

I  have only  met with her 2 times and called her so many times  in the past  15 years  or  even more she was always  friendly and  patient  with my  questions and inquries about what to  do with my many fine  feathered friends,  when I had found  some  hurt, hungry babys , some hit by cars ,cat rescued and so on..diffrent times in the past. Ann was there for me.

  Ann was always glad to help me with advice I needed,I am glad  God will have a great Angel to help him with  his  great angel wings on his angels, smile, But really  I wish she was still here with us, But I will keep in my memories and be thankful for the time she shared with all of us and all the nature that she blessed with such a great lady she is a true winged Angel with a pair of wings of her own now, Go Ann ,Go  Fly  like an Angel with  some  eagles go have fun,

You will be missed.

,    Penny

• » report

Posted 11:37 am November 3rd, 2008
Ann Young made this world a better place.  Saying Ann was remarkable is utterly insufficient.  Her legacy is indelible in my heart and mind, and my life is richer for the time I shared with her. She will always be with me.  She is my kind of hero - an ordinary person doing extraordinary things.

• » report

Posted 11:29 pm October 10th, 2008

My heart is hurting with the thought of never seeing Ann or hearing her voice on this earth again, but I’m so thankful for my very strong memories of her and for the gift of this video. Thank you, Bill, for sharing it with us. I'm also thankful to know that we'll meet again, because I know Ann is safe in the arms of God, and I will be too, one day.

 

Ann has left us with the task of loving this earth and her creatures with the passion with which she loved them all. She will be alive whenever we care for a fragile life, speak up for the voiceless and give unconditional love to those who haven’t asked for it.

 

I am so grateful to have known Ann, to have given her my time and resources, and to the amazing gift she gave my daughter, Amy, when she invited her to work with her this past summer. What a priceless treasure! And now, looking back on the timing, it is even more priceless. The memories Amy made, the knowledge she gained and the compassion she witnessed are gifts that only Ann could give. We will never forget her, and will strive to live our lives in ways that reflect Ann’s beautiful spirit.

• » report

Posted 5:22 pm September 30th, 2008

Thank you Bill for letting us see Ann one last time, at least as we knew her. I know that from now on, every time I see a bird or a butterfly, I'll wonder if it's Ann finally heading off to fly among the stars. No one deserved it more. 

• » report

Posted 11:58 am September 28th, 2008
I remember one particular visit to Ann.  My wife and I rushed a baby mockingbird to her.  The bird was shrieking loudly and seemed to be in extreme distress.  The moment I handed over the bird to Ann, she said, "This bird's toxic."  I didn't know what that meant, and she told us that the bird had ingested lawn fertilizer pellets.  Within moments, the bird died in her hand.  There was nothing even Ann could do.  That experience changed my lawn fertilizing habits forever.  I thank Ann for this tragic bit of valuable education.

• » report

Posted 3:38 pm September 26th, 2008

I've only just learned this evening of "Auntie" Annes passing. I say Auntie but she was really my cousin twice removed. I don't know the story in great detail but I believe Annes mother was the sister of my grandfather. When her mother died my grandmother had taken in Anne and her sisters Sally and Betty.

Anne was only 10 when I was born but I don't really remember her as anything other than a teenager in the sixties. My memories of that time are still dominated by beehive hairdo's, the Beatles on the radio and the smell of hairspray.

Anne was always very glamorous to me, she'd jetted off to the states to be an au-pair when I was only about seven and had worked for Arnold Palmer. Every Christmas we'd look forward to the parcel from Anne, often filled with my favourite DC comics and Tootsie Rolls. I loved Tootsie rolls and of course in 60's Scotland they seemed very exotic. It was about 30 years later that I tasted Tootsie rolls again, when I was serving alongside US troops in Europe, they still tasted wonderful.

Anne was always my favourite auntie, even though I saw little of her once she'd gone to America. I joined the Royal Air Force at 17 and so, like her, had flown away as a teenager. Despite serving around the world I never got the chance to go to the US and so never met her again.

She was probably the most unassuming and kindest person I'd ever known. Anne always came across as a gentle caring person, something obviously borne out by her love of the birds in later life. I'm immensely proud of Annes work, she always seemed to have a greater grasp of what was really important in life and the work that she has done will have an impact forever, on the local birdlife, something that has obvious reflections in Annes love of everything native american.

I would like to thank Bill for the wonderful video of Anne, I shall make sure it's seen by the family back in Scotland.

Although we can't be there in person, both my mother and I will be thinking of Anne during the memorial service on Monday. My mother doesn't have access to the internet and so I shall print off all of the wonderful comments from Annes friends and those whose lives she's touched. Thanks to you all and it's very comforting to know that Anne had such great friends.

Regards

Jim   

       

• » report

Posted 9:06 am September 24th, 2008
A memorial service for Ann is Monday, September 29th at Leu Gardens, Orlando at 7pm.

• » report

Posted 3:25 pm September 16th, 2008

It was on September 5th that I learned of Ann's passing.  At that time I wrote of the special friend that I would dearly miss.  Since that day, I have taken time to reflect on the pure essence of who she truly was and just what her life meant to so many.

Ann's home was not just a house.  It what the name of her foundation truly implied, the Ann Young Wild Bird Sanctuary. The one word sums in all up, "Sanctuary".  It was not just a haven and refuge for the injured and infirm feathered  creatures, but it was truly a "sanctuary" for those of us who truly knew and loved Ann.  The minute you walked inside her front door, you left the real world outside. You were truly transcended into the "spirit world". A special sense of tranquility came over you.

Although the pace could be hectic from morning until night, it was where Ann wanted to be, doing what she did best, loving and caring for the "winged ones" who could not care for themselves. Certainly she would become exhausted, but she always came back for the next season with great enthusiasm and anticipation.

Ann did not place much value on the material things that life had to offer.  To say she was poor is a great misnomer. If you could ask her now, she would tell you that she was rich beyond words.  Her wealth came in the successes of treating sick and injured birds, helping just one more person to understand what truly devastating effects yard chemicals could have on wildlife, enjoying the unending beauty of  nature,  and the friends that she held near and dear. There was no way to measure the joy  she felt when she was finally able to release a bird back into the wild and to watch it soar away. This was not Ann's job, but rather her passion.

Ann did not keep up with the latest fashion trends, yet she was blessed with beauty and grace. Her beauty was her spirit and her smile.  Her grace was that she made all of us feel special just by being in her presence. She helped us to truly see the miracles of God's creations as they were meant to be seen, with purity and  a sense of wonderment.

Ann was most comfortable in a Native American tee shirt, a pair of  black jeans, sandals,  with a cup of black coffee, and a lit "red" More Cigarette.  In the background, flute music would be playing. This was her element. For her, a gourmet meal was eating New England clam chowder out of the can. She did not try to impress anyone or be someone that she was not.  Ann is truly one of the very few people that I can say was "genuinely real".

Annie, you have taught me hear more clearly, feel more openly, and to truly see and give thanks for the God given beauty that surrounds us all . Your spirit continues to surround me with the love and purity that you personified. My life is so much richer for having known you and having had you as a friend.

 

• » report

Posted 3:25 pm September 16th, 2008

It was on September 5th that I learned of Ann's passing.  At that time I wrote of the special friend that I would dearly miss.  Since that day, I have taken time to reflect on the pure essence of who she truly was and just what her life meant to so many.

Ann's home was not just a house.  It what the name of her foundation truly implied, the Ann Young Wild Bird Sanctuary. The one word sums in all up, "Sanctuary".  It was not just a haven and refuge for the injured and infirm feathered  creatures, but it was truly a "sanctuary" for those of us who truly knew and loved Ann.  The minute you walked inside her front door, you left the real world outside. You were truly transcended into the "spirit world". A special sense of tranquility came over you.

Although the pace could be hectic from morning until night, it was where Ann wanted to be, doing what she did best, loving and caring for the "winged ones" who could not care for themselves. Certainly she would become exhausted, but she always came back for the next season with great enthusiasm and anticipation.

Ann did not place much value on the material things that life had to offer.  To say she was poor is a great misnomer. If you could ask her now, she would tell you that she was rich beyond words.  Her wealth came in the successes of treating sick and injured birds, helping just one more person to understand what truly devastating effects yard chemicals could have on wildlife, enjoying the unending beauty of  nature,  and the friends that she held near and dear. There was no way to measure the joy  she felt when she was finally able to release a bird back into the wild and to watch it soar away. This was not Ann's job, but rather her passion.

Ann did not keep up with the latest fashion trends, yet she was blessed with beauty and grace. Her beauty was her spirit and her smile.  Her grace was that she made all of us feel special just by being in her presence. She helped us to truly see the miracles of God's creations as they were meant to be seen, with purity and  a sense of wonderment.

Ann was most comfortable in a Native American tee shirt, a pair of  black jeans, sandals,  with a cup of black coffee, and a lit "red" More Cigarette.  In the background, flute music would be playing. This was her element. For her, a gourmet meal was eating New England clam chowder out of the can. She did not try to impress anyone or be someone that she was not.  Ann is truly one of the very few people that I can say was "genuinely real".

Annie, you have taught me hear more clearly, feel more openly, and to truly see and give thanks for the God given beauty that surrounds us all . Your spirit continues to surround me with the love and purity that you personified. My life is so much richer for having known you and having had you as a friend.

 

• » report

Posted 2:09 am September 10th, 2008
Ann Young's Wild Bird Refuge was really just a woman's house. 

Known as The Bird Lady of Altamonte Springs, Ann lived in a house filled to the rafters each March through September with baby birds all needing to be fed every 20 minutes.  The rest of the year, there were "only" a couple dozen hungry mouths to feed. There were also broken wings to set.  Antibiotics to give.  And the cleaning--oh!  That was never-ending, too.  I never saw Ann sit down. 

Ann lived in poverty.  The birds went without nothing while she went without almost everything.  Caring for the birds was her job--and it didn't pay anything.  She lived on a wing and a prayer.  Sometimes people would leave donations when they brought in a bird, but most did not.  Ann didn't grumble about it much.  She was used to it, and, frankly, she just didn't have the time. 

My eldest daughter and I had the privilege of volunteering at Ann's place for a short time before she passed a little over a week ago, Sunday, August 31st 2008.  She was only 63. We'd been flirting with pneumonia (amongst other wee cavorting beasties) at our house, and we hadn't wanted to give anything nasty to the birds or to Ann, so we'd stayed away for a while and hadn't heard of her flight until today.

We immediately went to her place to see if we could lend a hand.  I dreaded walking to her front door knowing Ann wasn't there.  The house was closed, her grown son not home, but I was heartened to find that all the birds had been taken care of already, absorbed into the small cadre of volunteers, two of whom--a lovely mother and daughter--were sitting in Ann's
wild-yet-beautiful front garden when we arrived.  They'd been drawn there, they explained, out of love and an inexplicable need to be there. 

We understood.

Ann's garden is a peaceful place, filled with circles of stone and string, feathers and vegetation--a Native American thing I don't pretend to understand.  Ann hailed originally from Scotland, but she was fascinated with Native American culture, believing as she did that all living things were connected.  Sitting in that garden, it's easy to believe.

Today, as always, the place was dotted with perennials of reds and lavenders and yellows--most of them chosen with the birds' comfort in mind rather than the people's.  Her many wind chimes filled the air with happy, gentle song.  But the garden, which had been alive with dozens of birds every single time I'd been there over the years, today boasted but a single mocker (as Ann called them).  I wondered--as I always will--if it was one of her orphans or one of their offspring.

Though most often gruff with people, with birds Ann was...how can I describe her?  She was an angel.  She cooed to them and talked to them, sympathizing with them and praising them as she gently, deftly, swiftly assessed their condition.  Watching her during a new arrival's triage was mesmerizing.  I don't know why, but the birds almost always stilled, calm in her hands, as though they understood she would care for them.  And care for them she did.  She was an honest-to-goodness, self-made expert.  And she loved them.  Curmudgeonly as she seemed at first, if you got under her skin you discovered that Ann loved all good people, whether they had feathers or not.   

As I sat in her garden today, weeping, I realized suddenly that Ann would be mad as hell about it.  "What's all this nonsense?" she'd scold, gruff as ever.  "I'm dead.  So what?  Use what you learned here, and get on wi' it!"

I will, Ann.  Thank you. 

What I learned was that there are hundreds and hundreds bird and wildlife sanctuaries all over the world.  We all pass by them regularly and never know it.  They're often ordinary-looking homes whose insides would have your mouth gaping.  Like Ann's home, they're filled with baby and injured animals and staffed by selfless, loving people--people who need help desperately. 

Ann Young went without in order to care for her birds.  Ultimately, it seems, that selflessness cost Ann her life. Another of her volunteers reports Ann wasn't feeling well over the weekend but wouldn't consider going to the doctor.  I'm sure Ann measured the cost of a doctor's care in meal worms or other things her birds needed.

Don't forget Ann wasn't the only one going without.  Just a couple hours of your time --or dollars--per week can do an enormous amount to help these angels-on-earth.  You don't need to be an expert to be of use to a sanctuary.  And, believe me, you won't regret the small sacrifice of time or money.  My life has been so greatly enriched for the short time I was with Ann!  I fed a tiny bird no bigger than my thumb.  And I hugged a woman whose heart was bigger than the Universe. 

Please look up "refuge" in the phone book right now (Really-truly now!  Now, before you forget!), or call a veterinarian, animal control, or the Humane Society to ask about wild animal refuges in your area.  Do it for the animals.  Do it for yourself.  And, please, do it for Ann. 

• » report

Posted 7:36 pm September 9th, 2008
Thank you Bill for posting this video.  Ann was my best friend 

• » report

Posted 4:25 pm September 9th, 2008
A beautiful woman within  (we sometimes forget how important it is)-- 

• » report

Posted 2:54 pm September 9th, 2008

I lived in the Orlando area for over 20 years and I was well aware of the wonderful work that Ann was doing.  Ann was an amazing, unique, very special woman.  Bill, thanks for the great tribute in your blog and posting the video of Ann!  She will be truly missed.

 

Sandy Scott

• » report

Posted 1:58 pm September 9th, 2008
Today, and for every day from now on, I will ask, when I see a bird, "Are you one of Ann's?" And in one way or another, the answer will always be yes.

• » report

Posted 1:52 pm September 9th, 2008

Hi Bill,

What a Fabulous Story of, and about Ann, you have done - she will be sadly missed by all, but she is now being taken care of by the Father Himself. Which is why it is so important to live your life as fully as you can each day - we may not have tomorrow in our physical lives. God is the only one who knows our future and how we play in it. What a legacy she leaves with us ! Thank you Bill, Marc, and the rest of the Staff at GB for this wonderful tribute!

Shirley W. Mitchell, "The Golden Egg of Aging™"

• » report

Posted 10:00 am September 9th, 2008

Mr Shafer, Thank you so very much for posting this of Ann. It is wonderful to

hear her..

• » report

Posted 7:49 am September 8th, 2008
Yes, many would cherish a copy of this video. You can even charge for copies and give the proceeds to Ann's cause.

• » report

Posted 3:05 am September 8th, 2008

Thank you so much for posting this video. Ann was such an incredible, wonderful, generous woman, and we will all miss her so much. The birds have lost a great friend. May we never forget the lessons she taught us.

 I would love to have a copy of this video and I'm sure many others would as well. Please let me know if that is possible. Thanks again, Lindy

• » report

Posted 6:46 pm September 7th, 2008
My God in Heaven. I love you, Ann Young. Thank you so much for this video.