“Mommy, look at my walking stick!” What would normally be a loud crunch of the gravel under our feet is overpowered by the kids’ voices pointing out the sights and sounds of the trail. The air is crisp. The slight wind chills my nose. My lips feel tight in the cold air.
We’re on our second annual “first day hike”, this time on a trail we’ve never explored before. Though the sky is a gray blanket of winter clouds, it’s a great day considering it’s January.
A few moments ago we paused as a family of deer bounded across the trail in front of us. Then a buck follows close behind. We take a couple more steps and see a flash of white fur. Two or three more deer are bringing up the rear.
I look over to Cece and watch her face light up with awe, an ear to ear smile peeking out from behind her gloved hands.
I see it as a sign of good luck for the year to come.
Dan Hauk 