Gratefully, I take off my heavy work boots.

The air is so clean and fresh that I want to spend the rest of the afternoon outside, so I get on my bike and head down to the local lake. I ride slowly through the spotless neighborhood, passing men and women standing on their front lawns sipping glasses of wine and beer.

Now I’m halfway between my house and the lake —a special place that gives me tranquility and peace of mind when I feel down. Approaching the shoreline, I decide to grab a quick coffee. As I wait for it, I squeeze my eyes shut as a soft, pleasant breeze blows in and gently kisses my forehead. My drink is hot and steaming, so while it cools I lie down on the grass, looking up at the brilliant blue sky.

Around the lake pigeons, robins, and crows are busy pecking seeds from the ground. A couple of laid-back ducks are lazily paddling around without a care in the world. I gaze down at the surface of the water and see wavy reflections of my face, and bushy tree branches above. I breathe deeply and collect my scattered thoughts, contemplating my shifting image in the water. It prompts me to firm up the picture of my future in my mind.

I see myself sitting on a wooden chair on the porch of a house in Burlington, overlooking a river, listening to the chirping of the birds. My wonderful partner brings out the chicken biryani she cooked for dinner.  As we enjoy our meal, we talk about the kindness of the people who saved my life.