Furiously Bri

This year, I’ve dealt with a lot as far as medical and mental health goes. Before this year, I used to have a lot of friends and people in my life that made me feel like I had to put myself out there for them, but I wasn’t allowed to ask for anything in return, or if I did ask, strings would be attached. I’ve been told that because of the kind of help that I need and pretty much the recently newfound fact that I’m disabled, I was too much. I felt like for a long time that I couldn’t talk about my feelings because once I vented about something, it would be like the other person was waiting their turn to talk about what they want to talk about with no concern over what I has just said.

This year, I ended up with friends that are genuinely there for me. People who ask me “What do you need?” I’ve never been asked that by anyone as much as I have been asked that this year, and in a genuine way, not like I’m a burden or going to put someone out for the day. My husband has always been my biggest supporter, but knowing I have friends I can rely on when we deal with deployments makes life just a little easier. I have friends willing to drive to hang out with me and understand the slow progress of my driving and not make me feel bad for having to take my time and not always being able to go long distance. Having people that understand that I can’t travel at the drop of a hat for varying reasons is also nice, because I have a demanding job, I use PTO for health reasons most of the time, and it’s financially hard to travel nowadays because of the health things as well.

I have friends helping me learn more about obtaining a service dog for my needs, and I really think it’s amazing to have that sort of community as well because it’s hard to adjust to needing help in all these new ways after not feeling like I can even ask for help for so long. And, having a furry friend that would help me get around and recognize when I need help without even asking would be amazing!

I truly appreciate having a circle in my life where whatever I give because I care, I also am given, because they care just as much. It’s been an overwhelming year of support, and I still don’t know what to do with is at times, but it’s really heartwarming.

To any of my friends who may be reading this, I love you, and I will always be a call/text away, just like you have been for me. 🖤