How She Sees Me

When I look in the mirror, I sometimes wonder what my reflection sees when she looks at me. This woman, who is me and yet not me, who stops existing the moment I step away from the mirror. Does she see everything I see when I look at her? Does she notice my pimples, my stretch marks, and my fat rolls? Does she marvel at how old I’ve gotten or how much weight I’ve gained? Does she critique every outfit I try on as much as I do?

Sometimes I think that she must. After all, she is me.

And yet, she never abandons me. No matter where I go or what I look like, I know my twin will always appear when I step in front of a mirror.

Maybe my reflection sees more in me than I see in her. Maybe she sees the good in me – my kindness, my optimism, my hope, my love. Maybe she sees all the things that I have been – a daughter, a wife, a sister, a friend, a student, a teacher. Maybe she sees all the things I could be – a canvas before me with splashes of color but still waiting to be completed.

Perhaps it's time to see the woman in the mirror the same way she sees me.