For retired special ops Spike, each loss of life has layered darkness onto his heart. He decided to tie the rope to the branch. He stretched out the rope and tied a knot at one end. He threw the rope over the branch and made a loop at the other end. He put one Harness boot in the loop. Holding the rope, he swung back and forth for a minute. He thought he would need to tie the rope to the branch. Adjusting the rope, he reached for the branch. Then a ladybug landed on his extended hand, changing everything.

--Ann Kimberlin Mathiews

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