A monumental moment

Such a brief one

Without a single spoken word

But so profound

In the works for many years

 

Standing before the mirror

about to don a long-abandoned shirt

She paused

Looked herself in the eye

And said

To that woman who has taken so much beating

So much berating, belittling, damning

From herself

For her body

 

She said to herself

You are beautiful

You are amazing

This shirt means nothing

If it doesn’t fit, then it doesn’t fit

It will go in the give-away pile

 

Not, I’ll put it aside and berate you constantly for not fitting into it

Not, I’ll hang it right back up and force you to try to fit into it soon

Berate you each day for not yet fitting in

Push you to exercise more

Eat less

Even if you’re hungry or out with friends or enjoying something delicious

 

How many outfits have hung in her closet for the what ifs?

For the well, maybes?

For the damn it, it used to fit, and it better fit again someday?

 

It took many years

But today, today

In front of the mirror

She gave myself complete permission

To be herself

As she is today

Right now

The woman exercising for health, not looks

The woman eating for love and enjoyment and health

 

She showered this woman with love

Telling her that she is not that shirt

That she is no longer that person who used to wear the shirt

And if it fits, great

And if it doesn’t, then she gets to select something that does

With love and compassion

 

A monumental moment

Such a brief one

Without a single spoken word

But so profound

In the works for many years

A moment she gave herself

In front of that mirror

Today