who's looking back at you ?

we have had so much rain lately

and

whining about it was all I had been doing

until

I was on my walk the other day

~~

around my favorite pond

where the cranes no longer are

there is a little bridge bending over a tiny creek

and

as I stepped on that bridge

the sun poured itself into the wavy stream of water

taking my breath away

and

holding me still

~~

the glassy look of my reflection

was me

I even double checked

but I still questioned who I was really looking at

~~

when you see your reflection in the water below you

or in the mirror in front of you

who do you see

?

do you see the sharp mom voice that came out of your mouth this morning

while you were rushing around getting everyone out the door

?

do you see the eyes that you rolled behind the man's back

who bagged your groceries too slowly

?

do you see the lips that didn't smile when your busy waitress

finally showed up with your forgotten breadstick

?

do you see the cheeks that didn't cuddle enough with your hubby

this past weekend

?

do you see the ears that often only hear what they want to hear

?

~~

yep

me too

sometimes

~~

but

this summer

with a lots of work and patience and kindness as a gift to myself

I have gotten so much better

at not being "too busy" to appreciate life

while

I soak up everything around me

~~

which is why

I think

I had to take a second look at myself

first straight on and then over my shoulder

and

you know what

?

I liked who I saw

*