“Mama! We seen two deer. They’s both a doe but big as our bucks!”

It was the Summer of 1974 on the working ranch in the mountains we visited each year. It was mom’s birthday. We were waiting our turn on a bench outside the country store to use the pay phone booth to call daddy who was back home working. Mom got so tickled when she overheard this particular phone conversation coming from the booth, she had to step away to compose herself. That memorable statement became a family mantra that particular summer and momma continued to giggle every single time it came up even years later.

While sitting at our kitchen table this morning, M and I experienced our first deer encounter in our new abode. While watching our various bird feeders in action during coffee time, a beautiful doe sauntered directly in front of our lovely window view. With a calm reverence, she stopped to observe and assess the area, watching the birds and noting her surroundings. We remained motionless and in awe. Before leaving, she turned slowly and made lengthy eye contact with each of us before climbing the hill to move deeper into the woods. After this particular week, it was definitely “a moment,” and I cannot help but think mom had something to do with this, especially this morning.

On what would have been mom’s 82^nd birthday today, I choose to believe this encounter represents a message of hope, wisdom, and Love. If you know M and me, we have a complicated relationship with deer (but that’s a story to share another time). Since recently starting this new chapter in our remarkable life together, a culmination of collective wisdom and renewal has evolved. Particularly as we age, we both lean more on following our intuition. To some, our decisions appear rash even though we are methodical thinkers, planners, and problem solvers. As a team, this our super-power; when we know, we know. Introverted, sensitive souls with strong intuition like us are a challenge to balance; gratefully, we continue to learn together how to embrace strength and vulnerability while also asking for help. Evidently, today’s encounter continues to emphasize how our growth and new opportunities require gentleness and grace with ourselves and others. We can do hard things and tackle difficult situations…and on an early Sunday morning after an attempted assassination on the former president, this message presents a powerful call to action for all of us to ponder.

“Momma…we saw your deer and received your message.” Friends, on this day and the ones to come, may gentleness, grace, and Love, always Love, prevail in abundance. Stay safe and well; may we all take good gentle care of ourselves as we care for one other in grace and Love.

PS: Happy Birthday, momma; miss you and your infectious “deer” giggle…