Despite all the sleepless nights
Despite the constant lack of energy and motivation
Despite his hatred towards a world of judgment and lack of understanding
Despite all the plaster that filled every hole he punched in the walls at home
Despite all the tears his wife wiped from his face
Despite knowing that every tear was part of a memory that he could touch
Despite knowing that inside of him dwells many demons that he struggles to keep hidden from the world
Despite all the angry outburst, the pills abused, and the alcohol consumed
Despite constantly tripping though remember when
Despite all the chaos that life had thrown at him
He knew, in what was left of his broken heart that had seen the true evil of the world, that when he pressed his chest against his horse and matched his horses breathing, that inner peace and the ability to love was somewhere still inside of him.
He knew that as his hands gently touched the side of his horse that somewhere inside of him was a soul that he thought was forever gone.
And he truly knew that in the end it would be okay. And if its not okay, then it’s not the end.
by Red Palmer, US Army and North Carolina Sheriff Veteran, Guiding Reins Graduate