As we wandered from thee meadow and into the marshland we walked off the trail to watch the ducks swim in the water. It was as I looked over my shoulder to the left I felt a cold shiver and excitement as I saw what laid only a few feet away.

I pointed to the kids, “Look!”

We walked over to examine the  Bison remains that laid before us. It was at that moment a thought crossed my mind that this was the first time I saw animal remains not within the confines of a museum but in the open wilderness.

It was there the remains laid untouched diminishing into the earth. My oldest wondered out loud, “What do you think happened to him?”

I replied, “I am not sure. Perhaps, he was sick or was attacked by another animal.”

The littlest stared in awe, “Do you think he suffered?”

“I don’t know. It looks as if he chose a quiet spot to move onward and rest in peace. “

It was with that we peered closer at the remains and noticed a small band of hair left around his horns. His peering eyes seemed to whisper that he had discovered a new open plain on his next journey.

We all began to feel as if  were lingering to long around the resting bison. It was then we moved back onto the winding trail.

As we moved forward we came across another meadow that was filled with life.

My oldest gazed out, “So that is the meaning of the circle of life.”

What does the circle of life mean to you?