Reflection in the Mirror

Reflection in the mirror, do you recognize me? I am the baby daughter, so small and delicate, with brown curly hair and eyes so blue. An age of innocence sleeping in mommy's arms. Reflection in the mirror, do you recognize me? I am the young girl playing jump rope with friends, a tomboy climbing trees with her brother, then saying night time prayers after daddy reads bedtime stories. Reflection in the mirror, do you recognize me? I am the teenage "woman," growing up so fast, trying on make-up, attending school dances, experiencing my first crush, my first heartbreak, driving my first car. Reflection in the mirror, do you recognize me? I am the college bound student, facing new challenges, marching into the world on my own feet, planning my future, as new adventures await. Reflection in the mirror, do you recognize me? I am the beautiful bride on her wedding day, so elegant and pure in a long white dress, with my groom beside me reciting our wedding vows, the ring, a symbol of our life yet to be. Reflection in the mirror, do you recognize me? I am a young mother now with babies of my own, my husband beside me as we build our happy home, A life time of memories shared. Reflection in the mirror, do you recognize me? I am a grandmother now and my walk, a bit slower then it use to be. My children are grown and live on their own. Visits with my grandchildren are treasured. Reflection in the mirror, do you recognize me? Who is this person I look at day to day? Is she the baby daughter, young girl, teenage "woman" college student, beautiful bride, mother, grandmother, that I use to know so well? As I search in you mirror I reminisce back to the person I use to be. My memory now fading fast. I sit here in my chair, so many memories a thing of the past. Robbed of who I was. An elderly woman now all alone. My husband has passed away. Visits from family are few and far between. Yet I sit in front of you mirror, everyday. Reflection in the mirror, do you recognize me? Help me to never lose the memories of whom I use to be....I work in a nursing home and I see my residents, some with no family to visit.I am their only family in some ways.I do my best to care for them and keep then active. What inspired this poem was one resident with alzheimers disease. She will often sit in front of her mirror and question staff who that is looking at her.I could just cry sometimes. I wrote this as if I was her. Written November 23rd, 2001 © on Nov 22 2001 10:51 PM PST   0 • 10