As I walked back toward the house, the meaning of the moment settled in. Nature has a surprising way of returning what we lose—not always in the form we expect, but often right when we need it most. The deer weren’t just visitors; they were gentle reminders of connection, memory, and the quiet ways the world speaks to us when we’re willing to listen. The little piece of quilt now sits framed by my entryway, not because it’s perfect, but because it was brought back to me in a way that made me pause, breathe, and feel grateful. Sometimes the forest gives back more than it takes—and sometimes it delivers a message wrapped in the smallest, softest gesture imaginable.
