Peace on the Hill

I was on a short deer hunt with Dad. The rest of the group were on the mountain somewhere. Dad and I were supposed to flush out the deer on one side of the hillside. We hiked for a few minutes and then Dad told me to lie down on my back under a tree, and I obeyed. He then directed me to look up. As I looked up at the sky through the autumn leaves, it took my breath away. It was like a glimpse of heaven. Those moments of pure peace are so rare in this life that 40 years later I can still picture it in my mind. I can almost grasp the feeling again. I don't think I ever thanked Dad for those five minutes; I wish I had.