I talk a lot about how important it is to surround... |

I talk a lot about how important it is to surround myself with friends that are supportive and that encourage action.

I don’t talk enough about those friends who have enabled me to see the world in a new light - those rare souls who have given me new opportunities that I had thought no longer open or possible to me.

As some of you may know, I have begun a new journey around working with and rehabilitating animals.

What few know is that this is due to the influence of one person in my life. Someone that continually dragged me along to visit shelters. That patiently taught me what it meant to eat meat. A person who wears her heart on her sleeve and speaks openly for those who can not speak themselves. One of the bravest souls I know.

Please know that I am beyond thankful to my friends and family who have unquestionably supported me, but I can not put into words what I owe my best friend, Marisa.

She has given a part of me back to myself - a part I had lost so very long ago.

The child that loved all the world’s creatures.

The innocent boy who protected snakes, cats, ducks, dogs and more from a father that was fed up with rescue animals.

The young man that vowed to always follow his heart and his conscience in all things.

Perhaps I would have reached this place without Marisa’s guidance, but I doubt it. I am just so very grateful I reached it today and not while lying on my death bed wondering what life would have been like if I had followed my heart.

This path is not easy. For me or her.

I just want her to know that, at the very least, these next few steps will not have to be taken alone.