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I was
riding my bike taking in the beauty of the woods, watching
the wild flowers gently bending in the breeze. I had my
lunch with me, a bag of potato chips and an apple.
I parked
my bike in a clearing and sat down. It was then I saw her.
She was
peeking out behind a tree. I saw her eyes look at me with
puzzlement. I slowly glanced around to see if she was alone
or had her family with her. I couldn't see anyone else.
Suddenly I saw her move in my direction. My heart started
racing a tiny bit thinking, "What if she charges me? What
if there are others? What would I do?"
She took
tiny steps toward me. I munched on my apple never taking my
eyes off of her. She never took her eyes off me. She
slowly inched her way within six foot of me. I saw a scar
on her side. I saw her ears twitch as she kept her stare on
me. I didn't move, afraid if I did, she'd run away. I then
slowly reached to open my potato chip bag and she inched
closer.
I held my
breath as she stood next to me, her nose scenting the apple
and chips. I slowly laid one potato chip on the ground.
She reached out and took it. I laid another down, and she
ate that one also. She was poking her nose at my apple. I
laughed, she stepped back, and I bit a piece off and offered
it to her in my hand. She reached out and took it. Then
she pawed in the grass, and I assumed that meant she wanted
another one.
I was
there the next day waiting for her. She came. This time I
took 3 apples and two bags of potato chips and a bag of
pretzels. Again, she came towards me only this time there
was no hesitation. We shared my lunch together.
People
began to hear of this odd happening between a woman and an
animal. I named her "Miss Bubba." I've been feeding her
for four years now. When she sees me now and she's with her
herd, she runs out to greet me. She picks apples from my
pockets.....and I laugh and say, "Go on Miss Bubba, get your
apple."
I look
into those velvet eyes that are so gentle. I feel her coat
as I stroke her back, and I wonder how anyone could point a
gun at her. She is safe because she resides inside a State
Park where no hunting is allowed. She is happy to run the
1500 acres she has access to. And she is happy to eat
apples and potato chips. She does NOT like pretzels. If I
take her a candy apple, she will kick her front feet in the
dirt like saying, "Hurry up, that smells GOOD!"
I have no
idea what made her walk up to me that day four years ago. I
have no idea why she did not fear me. Perhaps because I did
not fear her. I think she sensed that I like animals and
one time, long ago, raised a fawn into adulthood.
When I
ride my bike, she finds me and she will run alongside me as
I pedal around the park. Folks will say, "There's the deer
lady." I just grin and look around for Miss Bubba.
Sharon
Bryant
1946 @ bellsouth. net
About Me:
I am
almost 58 years old and I reside in Alabama. I'm originally
from Michigan but have lived in the south for eleven years
now. I have loved writing since grade school and had hopes
years ago of one day writing professionally. I never dreamed
I'd write about the things I do today.
I lost my
child in 1977 when he was five years old and I write
articles on bereavement, poetry, and now have a website for
bereaved parents and online support to help those who have
to walk the road that' I've had to walk. I am a
chocolate/candy maker and have my own chocolate shop in a
historic state park. I am also a wood crafter and knitter. I
like to read, play scrabble, cook, work with my scroll saw,
paint, and create crafts for my shop. I really love working
with chocolate and creating truffles, and all kinds of
candy. I write for 2theheart, Angels on Earth, Warm Fuzzy
Stories, Hugs From the Heart, Illustrator, Storytime
Tapestry, Starfish, and my own online support called
Whispers of the Heart.
I am
married to a wonderful man, and have two remaining children,
a daughter 25, Amy, and a second son, Randy, age 22. I love
animals and have a beautiful dog named Pokey who is eleven
years old. My main goal in life is to help those who have
lost a child. The road is long and hard, and it is my hopes
that through writing, I may be able to help someone who is
hurting from this tragedy.
My website is:
www.angelsremembered.tk Angels Remembered My poetry site
is:
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/fromsharonsheart/ Poetry
site for bereaved parents
Poetry
site for bereaved parents
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