"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again..."
Anonymous

 

To Dear Keiko:

I first came to know you (as many did) as the star of Free Willy. Growing up in a small town in Colorado left me with very little knowledge of the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. An intense interest suddenly sparked the first time I saw you.

I was eleven years old sitting in a dark theater when suddenly the golden image of a calm afternoon ocean appeared and from the water leaped the most beautiful creature I had ever seen...an orca. My jaw dropped to the floor and I almost sprang out of my seat...and it was only the first scene of the movie. Through the rest of the film I sat on the edge of my seat absolutely fascinated by your intelligence, your beauty, your love, and your gentle nature. As I left the theater, I realized not only did I gain an intense love for you in the space of just an hour and a half, but a love for orcas in general.

Through the coming years my love only grew. I was drawing pictures of orcas all the time. I read any book about orcas I could get my hands on. When we had to write short stories in school, I wrote my stories about orcas (and all the storied starred you, of course). I knew when I grew up, I wanted to work with orcas.

As time went on, I also learned of your life-threatening plight. I knew that you were not actually free like the movies would suggest, but were stuck in a small, hot tank in Mexico City with failing health. I, like so many others, wanted to see you find a better home and maybe even be free someday. The kindness and love of so many people certainly paid off.

On January 7, 1996, I watched with the rest of the world, your celebrated move to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. I was so excited because you were now in the U.S. and I knew that I had a chance to go see you. I followed your progress very carefully. I would sneak into the computer room at school just so I could catch a glimpse of you on the KeikoCam over the Internet. I had friends in Oregon who went to see you and they would send pictures, magazines, and newspaper articles. All the while, I was begging my parents for a trip to Oregon to see you. My mother said that we would go at some point, of course. But it was never to transpire.

In 1998 the news came that you would be traveling to Iceland very soon. I was happy that you were going home after so many years, but I was devastated because I knew I would never be able to see you. I had my chance, and it was suddenly gone.

After you arrived in Iceland, I followed your progress for a few months, but I slowly let you slip away. I was so sad because you were so far away. And as you slipped away from me, so did my interest in orcas.

A year and a half passed when one summer day I thought, "I wonder how Keiko is doing. I miss him." So I hopped on the Internet and found the Ocean Futures website. There, plastered across the screen was the most marvelous picture of you breaching in a wide, wild, blue Atlantic sea. Just that one picture brought back all the loving memories and feelings I had for you and it also brought back my passion for orcas as well. A picture is worth a thousand words, but also a thousand feelings.

I had just graduated from high school and as a gift, my parents told me we could go on a trip to anywhere in the U.S. I knew where I wanted to go. I wanted to go to Newport even though I knew you weren't there anymore. Off we went and upon arriving at the aquarium, I was in tears because I knew you had once been there too. And as an extra special bonus on that trip, my parents took me to the San Juan Islands in Washington to see wild orcas! I was enthralled when I saw them for the first time. They were so indescribably awesome. While on a boat, a group of three orcas came up alongside the vessel, turned on their sides and stared up at me. I was hopelessly hooked at that point. There was no going back. I knew this was where I wanted to be. I wanted to get a job in the San Juans as a naturalist so I could be with the whales everyday and so I could teach people to respect all the creatures of the earth...that is what you taught me, Keiko.

All of my dreams have come true! I have just graduated from college with a degree in zoology so that I can help all kinds of animals. I have now been working in the San Juans for five years. I spend every waking moment of every summer day with orcas. I am the happiest person in the world because I am doing what I love...and its all because of you, Keiko.

In December 2003, I heard the horrible news that you had suddenly died of pneumonia. I collapsed. I don't ever remember crying so hard or feeling so much pain as I did during those days. My beloved friend and teacher was gone...

Now a year later, I still miss you terribly, but I know you are looking down on all of us. You had such a great love for people even though we had treated you so horribly at times. It is touching. You changed the world with your love and we are all the better for it. Thank God for you and your wonderful soul and spirit. You shaped and touched my life in so many ways. Most of the people around me have no idea what an influence you were, but I think they are just starting to understand. I am so honored to be around orcas every day and I am honored that I am able to teach so many people about our natural world. It MUST be loved and respected. It is because of you, Keiko, that all of my dreams have come true. I feel as if I have lost my mentor and my greatest friend. Rest in peace, dear Keiko, knowing that so many loved you and learned from you. Your life was NOT in vain. Keiko, you will be GREATLY missed, ALWAYS loved, and NEVER forgotten.

Love you forever,

Katie

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