I would like to take this opportunity to recount a special moment that happened on Easter Sunday. Unfortunately, it took me a few hundred yards of hiking to realize just how special.

I was hiking the Overlook Trail just past noon. While trudging up the hill, I noticed two people ahead, coming down the trail. As our approach drew nearer, I glanced quickly and noticed the pair was a special-needs young lady and her mother. Without speaking, the young lady walked straight toward me and gave me three little sheets of paper with hand-drawn pictures on them. The other woman told me she liked to draw on paper and hand the drawings out to people. I replied with a simple “thank you and Happy Easter,” then continued my climb.

Upon reaching the top of the trail, I stopped for a drink of water. While there, I reached into my pocket for the drawings and was amazed at what I saw. Each drawing was a set of eyes, with names on the back identifying them as Burt, Peter and Shaun. I was sure those names have special meaning for that young lady. Emotion took over and I found myself wiping tears of happiness and joy from my eyes. I took a moment to look back at the fountain, gaze at the mountains, then said aloud a prayer to God.

I did an extra loop around Fountain Lake after my hike to find the young lady and her mother, but to no avail. If the family reads this letter, know that your gesture made my Easter Sunday one that I will never forget. The drawings are now saved in a frame and displayed on my desk. Thank You!