When I was 4 years old a deer came into my room and woke me up. I got out of bed and we walked down the hall together. The deer told me things. I don’t remember what the words were. Maybe the deer didn’t use words. But I remember very clearly the way the deer made me feel. It was deep and profound. It changed me.

The next day I told my mom about it. She told me it was a dream. I tried to explain to her that it wasn’t a dream, but she just kept insisting that it was a dream. I remember how she laughed in that way that mom’s laugh when I kid is being cute and naive. She didn't know and I didn’t hold it against her nor did I let it influence the fact that the experience I had was real.

Since then, deer has walked beside me my entire life. Its wisdom is a guiding light that constantly reminds me of who I am and where I am going. However, the past couple of years has brought an incredible amount of change. I found myself lost, confused, and disconnected from my purpose. Then like an old wind carrying the whisper of my old friend I was reminded of who I am.

As I‘ve leaned more fully into the changes and as the Autumn Equinox approaches I decided to have the deer tattooed on my arm as a renewal to my purpose and a commitment to following my soul’s calling.