When you look in the mirror
and see the weight of a life too heavy–
aching bones atop an old mattress,
screaming for relief,
but finding only tired springs–
Remember
how you squinted into the sun
to see pumped legs reach the blue
all by themselves
for the first time.
Remember
how you cheered alongside
squeals of discovery
independence
uninhibited joy.
Remember
a thousand belly laughs
kitchen dances
late nights
whispers in the dark
about everything
and nothing at all.
Remember
nights spent in worried prayer–
how the grief hovered thick–
threatening to break, but instead
stretching
shaping
making room.
When you look in the mirror
and see wrinkles
dark circles
flaps and folds marking years of wear
like a favorite book–
Remember
the hands that turned the pages–
every detail
intricately woven together
writing a life
worth living.
