Coping with Grief, Finding Beauty In Life

When I found Bridle Up Hope, I was heartbroken over the loss of my father. I couldn't understand how to function, let alone be happy, in a world where my dad didn't exist anymore. I was beyond sad, it was such an immense feeling of despair I didn't know how I was going to get through this pain. One day at a time, there's no other way to approach it. I had experienced sadness and depression before but nothing like this. 

My first day at the barn I was speechless, at how beautiful the scenery was, the horses were out and grazing the grass. I met Jenna, she was my instructor and with her guidance and positive reinforcement I was able to find the courage to ride a horse for the first time in my life. She was very welcoming and easy to talk with.

My first time on a horse was such a surreal moment, I rode bareback on Winston. It was such an amazing experience to fulfill a childhood dream of mine that was to ride a horse which just so happened to look  like Winston. That was the first time I knew I was meant to be there at the barn, I felt happy again, and it was weird because since my father had passed away I couldn't feel happy. Throughout the course of the program I learned skills that will carried me through my grief journey but also other aspects of my life. I find myself using the 7 habits in my day to day, it becomes a natural process. I feel like being around the horses teaches me so much about myself I've yet to discover. I found something I'm very passionate about and it has given me hope to live happy again and reminds me of how beautiful life is. I was a broken hearted woman who had lost all hope in life, when I first got to Bridle Up Hope, I am here today because of your wonderful service and program. I am proud to say that I will forever be a part of this barn family, and I will share my story with as many women and girls that I can. If they helped me in my time of darkness, I am sure they can help you too. I knew I loved horses the moment the smell of the barn made me happy, I look forward to coming to the barn whether it be for service or for a lesson, I am just always so giddy and I always leave with such an overwhelming feeling of peace and joy-- almost as if the weight of the world were lifted off of my shoulders. I am so grateful for this organization and all of the lives they have changed and saved. 

It was such a bittersweet moment for me but I do hope and pray that my father is looking out and sees how happy I am. Even though I will always be so sad over his passing I am able to say that I am strong enough to get through this and anything life throws my way. We are all stronger than we think we are, we just need the right encouragement and support.

-Bridle Up Hope Alpine, Women’s Participant

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