I was on a plane and met a gentleman,"John", in a seat across from mine. We were sharing about our families and I showed him my book. The stories prompted him to divulge a story of his own.
John's daughter, "Marissa" owned four show horses and would ride them in competition throughout the United States. Marissa knew a woman who had a therapeutic riding stable. One day, a gentleman came who was extremely disabled due to depression. He would not commumicate with anyone except the horse he was assigned to. Often he would cry in despair. On this particular day, the man dismounted from his horse and sat on the ground as he sobbed into his hands. The horse laid down next to him and layed his head in the man's lap as the man's tears flowed uncontrollably.
This man received a gift from God through one of his creatures. The gift of unconditional love, compassion and active listening. If a horse can give this act of mercy, how much more can we give as one person to another? We can't save the world, but we can be present for those around us.
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