Sunday, 21 November 2010 -- Day 336 (349)

The quiet has descended.  I walk Kea now in darkness and silence, except for occasionally crunching through ice-encrusted snow.  I'm sure it was on a night similar to this when Austrian priest Joseph Mohr walked w/ his lyrics, Stille Nacht, to ask Franz Gruber to compose a melody.  Well, almost similar.....it's not Christmas Eve, but I'm aware that the approaching holidays means the approaching anniversary of Mom's death.  I'm still overcome w/ emotion anytime I think about or try to sing Silent Night, but I have hope that I'm moving toward the acceptance.  As a perfect ending to our walk, Kea spotted a doe w/ her fawn.  I kept her on a short lease and told her to still so we could watch the mama and her baby.  The fawn ate while the doe watched us watch them.....ever the alert mother.  On this stille nacht, watching the deer, I see Mom watching over me....ever alert, ever mindful, ever loving. "Sleep in heavenly peace."