204: HOW LIFE'S BEEN

ONE YEAR LATER Sitting cross-legged in the soft, dewy grass of the sprawling meadow, I felt a gentle breeze tousling my hair as I gazed up at the vast expanse of the sky. The sun was just beginning its ascent, brightening everywhere in the landscape. Birds soared and swooped in intricate patterns above me, their melodic songs filling the air with a symphony of nature's own composition. Watching, a magnificent stag burst forth from the edge of the forest, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its sleek coat as it bounded across the meadow with effortless grace. My heart swelled with wonder at the sight of such a majestic creature in its natural element. I marveled at the sheer beauty and power of the animal, feeling a deep sense of connection to the world around me. The stag came to a halt not far from where I sat, its dark eyes meeting mine with a look of curiosity. Time seemed to stand still for a moment as we regarded each other, human and beast, sharing a fleeting moment of under