I will never forget how Toki swam up to me and looked me in the eye when I saw her face to face, the day after we marched for her freedom in 2015. She was truly special.
I would not be here today grieving her loss without her. She inspired me, through learning of how much she endured in her tank, to keep going while battling depression. I do not feel anger or resentment towards anyone at this time, and I know deep down that Toki would not want us to feel anger and let hatred or vengeance outshine her legacy. She, by enduring for so long without lashing out at anyone and engaging with those who saw her, taught all of us love and compassion for everyone - those who cared for her included. They are grieving too. I really feel inside that those involved in bringing her home genuinely cared about her. We were too late, but they genuinely cared. We must come together, learn, and embrace what she taught us - that love and compassion from a single, amazing individual can shine a light brighter than we could possibly imagine. She taught me that these every day acts of love and compassion, of trying to be a light in this dark world, really make a difference. This is not the end. Toki lives through us and our actions - every compassionate and loving gesture we make, every time we persevere and endure, every time we use our voice to advocate for those cetaceans still in peril either in captivity or in the wild. She lives in us. This is not the end. Do not give up or linger in despair. Though not the way I had envisioned, she has finally broken through the clouds. Her light still shines on. Remember her with every action you take. Do not hate. It was not in her nature. I will never stop fighting for the oceans or marine life. I will never forget my purpose or abandon love and compassion. We all must not forget what she has taught us.
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AUTHORZach Affolter is a passionate aspiring marine biologist and animal/environmental advocate. Categories
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July 2023
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