I bought the biggest mirror I could find.

I set it against my wall, stood back and stared.

Disheveled I looked as my mind began its usual incineration of my body, until my glance changed to my eyes.

Staring for so long real life began to fade.

I felt a cold wood under my feet.

A brisk morning breeze

sent a comforting chill down my spine.

This is an unrecognizable satisfaction.

Peering up to a front yard, with a rusted old fence.

My children ran past chasing each other.

Their laughs levitated into the air, filling it with the simplest joy I have never experienced.

You came up behind me and touched my arm, laying your soft cheek on my shoulder.

The scent of rose perfume filled my senses as we peered out into this new reality.

My glance snapped back to my broken gaze.

Face now flushed, my eyes began to fog.