Deer Falling 1995

One of my earliest memories is of being in Hyde Park outside of Santa Fe,  having a picnic with my parents and my brother.  At some point during the picnic, a doe approached us, and we were able to feed and then to pet her.  My memory is clear around the image of the deer and I how excited I was to be with this large and beautiful animal.  As I continued to pet the doe , I found myself underneath her, stroking her soft belly.  This must have frightened her and she jumped away, tangling me up in her long legs as she bolted.  I went from pure little girl delight to pure little girl terror when I felt the hooves trample, then push off of me.  I wasn't hurt, although I know I cried for a long, long time.