I always look forward to the fresh start of a new year. I love to clean and clear out the clutter in my home and simplify my life. I also pick one resolution to begin the New Year ahead. Sadly, this New Year began with one of my beloved does named Lavender being shot during the DNR extended doe hunting season. After she was wounded, Lavender managed to return back to her beloved home to spend the last hours of her life at the Nook where she was raised. When I discovered Lavenders’ body in the straw of our shed she was surrounded on both sides with two of last year’s fawns.

Many people question and dismiss the feelings of animals and yet I have seen these acts of love repeated over the years with all of our animals. Lavender was one of several deer that have returned here to end their life. I believe, that they return home because this is the place they feel safe and loved. The two fawns lying beside her confirmed my belief in the bonds of love that connect all animals. Perhaps we dismiss their feelings because if we admitted that they could feel these shared emotions we could not possibly do the things we do to them. If you watch the deer as much as I have, you will see the strong bonds that exist between them. After you have humanely put to sleep the many animals that I have over the years, you develop a different perspective on death. I now realize how precious every life is and how important my role is in helping them pass on surrounded in love and peace with someone beside them who cares.

This year my resolution is simply to help create more peace. Peace here at Nottingham, peace in our sadly troubled country, and most importantly peace within my heart. When I am overwhelmed with despair over what we people have become a light suddenly appears to bring me hope. Recently, that light is the Buddhist monks walking for Peace with their faithful dog Aloka. As one of the monks on this walk said “Peace is always possible if we choose it.” Right now, despite all that has happened so far in this new year I choose Peace. In the words of Thich Nhat Hahn “It is my conviction that there in not a way to peace. Peace is the way.”

With Blessings and Hope,
Cheryl