Gingerly she stretched out on the seat of the picnic bench and laid down. It was hard against her back but as she gazed skyward she felt her muscles relax. It had been so hot the last few days that she was thankful for the shade of a nearby tree.
She felt herself drifting, just like the puffy white clouds in sky. Lost in her thoughts as a warm gust of wind tickled the hairs on the back of her neck, playful in nature.
The insistent buzz of a wasp sharply focused her attention, an unwelcome distraction. Slowly the sound of children's laughter, birdsong and water cascading over rocks soothed her annoyance, smoothing out the edges.
Her thoughts turned to her husband and dog walking the nearby trails as she looked down at her knee brace. Disappointed that she'd been unable to join them but thankful for the peacefulness of her surroundings after such a stressful week . . . . and then there they were, appearing out of the woods, hot but happy.
