Finish this sentence: “When I look in the mirror, I . . . “

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When I look in the mirror, I see a woman who has seen too much of  life in many respects. I see someone who is tired and stressed out, but who keeps going no matter what.

I see a woman who has shadows in her eyes. A sadness that won’t go away.

When I look in the mirror, I see someone who tries to always see the good side of things, because she doesn’t like negativity. I see a woman who has earned every single silver hair honestly. A woman who worries about others, who cares, but is sometimes afraid to show it.

I see someone who isn’t afraid of life’s challenges, who meets them head on, because she knows that if she doesn’t that’s when they grow bigger than they really are.

When I look in the mirror, I still see the child I used to be. I see the child I wish I had been. I see a child who had been hurt too much and grew up too fast.

I see a woman who still has hold of her dreams and will never let go of them. To let go of dreams is to die inside.

When I look in the mirror, I see past lives and past loves and relish each memory, for each one helped shape me into the woman who stands in front of that mirror today.

I see a woman who has been through hell and came out the other side a different person. A person who kept her dignity intact and her values strong. A woman who no matter how hurt she was refused to stay in that black hole just because someone wanted to step on her to keep her there.

When I look in the mirror, I see a woman whose  family refuses to see, or can’t see. I see a woman who has a few regrets and learns from them. I see a woman who has grown in so many ways through the years that sometimes it surprises even herself.

I see a woman who has decided ‘things’ are not as important as she once thought because she had those things taken away too many times and still lived to become happy.

When I look in the mirror, I don’t see an older woman, but a young girl, who believes in all those wonderful things that she has been told is not real. Like unicorns, fairies, magic and all those things you can’t touch, but can feel in your soul.

I see wonders where some don’t or can’t see. And I smile to myself as my heart sings with being alive.

When I look in the mirror, I see a woman who still has a lot of life to live and is looking forward to it all, even the hard parts.