Be gentle

July 7, 2015 ~ The State Hospital, where my son is, has apple orchards on one end and huge mountains on the other. This combination is a perfect habitat for little deer, who wander around the hospital to nibble on leaves or rest in the grass.

I have learned that Native Americans believe that the presence of deer in our lives teaches us to be gentle with wounded souls, and encourage rather than force them to change. How perfect is that for a place that cares for such fragile people with serious mental illness?