Learning to Love the Mirror Again

To be honest?

Most days when I look in the mirror,
I hate what I see.

I love what’s inside—my strength, my will to keep going, the fact that my immune system is working overtime and doing a damn good job.
But the outside?
The reflection staring back at me?
It doesn’t feel like me.

I miss the old version of myself.
The one I didn’t even realize was beautiful until she was gone.
Isn’t that always the way?
You don’t know what you have until you’re forced to live without it.