Dear Ariel:
You have changed my life! Some people might find this difficult to understand—you being a dog and all. When I met you, we both needed some help. You had some physical ailments and I had some spiritual ones. I really didn’t know what was missing in my life—after all, you can’t really miss what you never had. Being an only child with no children of my own, and at the time, no spouse, I could just focus on me and not pay that much attention to my surroundings. I came and went as I pleased while trying to be a decent person who had a little fun along the way.
Then something began to change. To say I became attached to you would be the understatement of the year! I found myself distraught when you were sick and almost inconsolable when you had Cancer. I also remember when you got clipped by that 10-speed bike racing past us. But, the little twelve pound warrior that you are, you came out of all those challenges shining with that special glow in those big, brown, beautiful eyes. I on the other hand was trudging through life. You cuddled with me when I cried and made me laugh every day with your crazy antics and confident attitude. You needed me—and boy did I need you.
For the first time, I had the responsibility of taking care of a living creature who actually had lots more needs than a goldfish. As the days have gone by, this has deepened me emotionally— opening up much more love then I knew I had to me. I rarely ever said “I love you” to anyone and now I say it several times a day to you. As time passed, that love began to transfer to other people, which allowed my heart to open and expand exponentially to the point that I had actually grown into a more expansive version of me.
Your Papa Ryan calls you my Number 1. I think that’s ok because, without you, I’m not sure he would be with us today. I’ve opened my eyes to a much greater appreciation of beauty, love, other people and animals. Some people think I’m crazy to feel this way—others think it’s totally normal. I guess it really doesn’t matter because any deep connection should be treasured—whether Man OR Beast.
I am grateful to walk you, hug you, feed you, take you to the Vet and the Groomer, play with you, give you your meds and whatever else it takes to keep you happy and well. In exchange, I get to learn, love and take in the joy that you provide. A small price to pay for a better, richer life.
You’re a force to be reckoned with Ms. Ariel Jean. I am grateful for you as we are, and will always be, connected souls forever.
With Much Love,
Mommy
During his initial six-month hospital stay, Bobby remained upbeat, positive, and relied on humor to get him through each day. Putting nurses in headlocks, trying to keep other wounded soldiers’ spirits up by telling them jokes, and singing a ditty over and over garnered the attention of his occupational therapist. She challenged him to go to an open mic night and try his hand at comedy. Comedy helps Bobby keep his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Anxiety at bay, and allows him to share his story and healing with others in a positive way. Today, Henline continues his quest to make people laugh in a variety of venues. The open mic night provided him an opportunity to perform professionally as the “Well Done Comedian” at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club (Las Vegas, NV), Laugh Factory (Chicago, IL), and Hollywood Improv (Los Angeles, CA) to name a few. As a Motivational Speaker/Comedian/Emcee, he collaborates with and performs for various military and military-related organizations to inspire soldiers, veterans, and their families, spreading his message of life, love, and joy; he visits middle and high schools across the country to inspire young people; and speaks at mental health and other healthcare organizations, sharing his story of resiliency, hope, and healing.
Briggs is a retired California Highway Patrol officer who spent many years patrolling the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. While on patrol, he encountered numerous individuals clinging to life by a thread – individuals who had lost hope and could see no way out of their current situation – ready to jump off the bridge to what they assumed was a sudden death and ending of their pain and hopelessness.
In 2016, Briggs had the privilege of Keynote and Workshop Presenter in Aachen, Germany at the International Federation of Telephone Emergency Services (IFOTES) Conference. IFOTES offers emotional support, immediately accessible to any person suffering from loneliness, in a state of psychological crisis, or contemplating suicide by telephone, mail or chat services. At the time, there were 31 Federations from 23 countries as a member of IFOTES, working with about 22,000 voluntary workers and 1,000 professionals in the member countries.
Kevin is also a member of
You must be logged in to post a comment.