When you stand before the mirror, you see today without that person

Scenes

• When you stand before the mirror, you see today without that person — When you dry your hair and look in the mirror, you think first of the person who used to look in the mirror with you, not your freshly washed face.
• The day is over, but the greeting remains — Even after washing up, you can’t fold the towel. A brief greeting remains, with no one left to offer it to.
• Even after seeing your face in the mirror, you can’t turn away. — After drying off, you stand before the mirror, parting your lips and closing them again. There’s no one to tell about your day as you usually would.
• Grief follows later than the routine of washing — In loss and grief, your body may get through the routine first, while your heart meets the empty space later. If you avoid the mirror, the question may remain even louder.
• Let the mirror hold only today’s face for a moment — Don’t search for your future self. Before the mirror, try naming one thing about the body that just came out of the shower today. It’s okay if there’s no answer.
• You don’t have to forget the person who’s gone for today to pass — It’s okay to close out the day with that person still on your mind. On nights when the loss feels deeper, sit beside that empty space and look at it together.