on shadow & light, sunshine & silhouettes … & seeing my own magic

And I thought, then, of the days when my eating disorder taught me a different language.  When food meant fear, and starvation felt like a form of power.

When everything I put in my mouth seemed like a threat.

*

This evening.

I am walking the dog at sunset, stopped at a street corner, waiting for traffic to pass.  I am lost in thought.

Suddenly a car flashes by, and for the briefest moment I glimpse a girl reflected in the car window — sun falling over her shoulders, sparking in her hair.

I catch my breath.

I catch my breath even before I know it’s me.

And then the car is gone and the reflection is gone and all that’s left in its place is my shadow, long and lean and dark against the asphalt.

All that’s left is me, asking if what I saw was actually real.

*

I stand there on the street corner for a long time.

I stare at my silhouette, squinting to see the magic.  After awhile, I take out my iphone.  I snap a photo.  Because I do see it.  I do…  Almost.

And on the long walk  home, I realize that even a shadow can be beautiful — proof that something of substance is absorbing the light, if only for a moment:

shadow

If I want to see the sun, all I have to do is turn around. ❤

10 Comments

  1. I love this!! Beauty in places we would never expect to find it. I’m new to blogging although I’ve always had a passion for writing. I’d love for you to check out my blog saying they’re about embracing self love as well and tell me your thoughts (:

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What kind words from you … Thank you. 🙂 And P.S. Welcome home! Wishing you an easy transition and lots of opportunities to find loveliness and light in your new life … Because it is new, even if you’re living in an old place.

      Thank you for reading! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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