Friday, March 4, 2011

When I Look in the Mirror


Today, I'm joining others in a five minute writing exercise called Five Minute Fridays. I hope you play along, too.

When I look in the mirror, I see layers of me. I see the surface, skin and its attendant mid-life acne. What is up with that? I see a sassy new do and a slightly misshapen nose. I see a body that has birthed the babies and nourished the life into them with milk. I see a long gone youth of scars from playing in the woods behind the house in Pittsburgh. I see new scars from new journeys into running and play. I see the crazy mess of a bathroom shared by 5 people who have little respect for boundaries in a crazy and triumphantly loving way.

When I look in the mirror, I see the me who is and the me I was and I find that they can exist together, peacefully in one newly 40 year old body. I see a woman who craves the desire of her husband and the strong limbs of a mother who carried those babies, who carries them still in the limbs of her heart.

Looking in the mirror feels at once arrogant and practical. I balance vanity with plain hygiene.

5 comments:

  1. Jen, you're amazing. I love the way you write. You articulate the things I think but cannot say.

    Can I steal your bathroom line? It's spectacular.

    Love you girl! Happy Birthday!
    mk

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  2. the me who is and was--i love that. so true.

    and yes, bathroom boundaries. my babes are just 1 and 3--are you saying i will NEVER be alone in there?!

    i was born in the 'burgh and lived in bloomfield a few years ago. do you still call pittsburgh home?

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  3. Love this! So glad you've joined the fun.

    This is a beautiful line:

    "I see a woman who craves the desire of her husband and the strong limbs of a mother who carried those babies, who carries them still in the limbs of her heart."

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  4. Loved this Jennifer. You really flow as a writer. I'm going to start doing Five Minute Fridays. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Myra

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  5. I'm visiting from Five Minute Friday. Enjoyed your writing! This 40 year old mom smiled at the statement you made about sharing the bathroom with your family :)

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