Chris tries to take Evan out for bike rides each week. Today’s ride held a bit more emotion than normal.

They found a dead buck on the side of their normal spot. This in itself is sad for Evan but it’s also common place in rural Wisconsin. The difference with this situation is that someone carved off the antlers of this majestic animal….and then left its body on the side of the road like trash.

I’m not going to assume what kind of person would do this nor why. To me it’s like stealing dignity. It’s nothing I can imagine anyone I know doing because it’s simply wrong. I can tell you there is an 8 year old boy wondering about what makes humans so selfish and horrible.

Chris said as they went to leave Evan knelt down and held on to the hoof with his head bowed. He gently petted the bucks leg before leaving. Tomorrow they will return and pull the buck back into the woods where he can become one with the forest again. Respect. Dignity. Humanity.

As we enter the last few months of this year, reflect on how we treat each other. Do we strip each other down, degrading and stealing dignity? Or do we humbly bow our heads and pray for peace?