Voices in the Mirror

Voices in the Mirror

written by: Ann Marie Gardinier

It’s been some time since I’ve lingered here
And really looked at you
Without judgment, without worry
Without rushing
To the next thing on the to-do list

But I’m trying
To slow down
To be patient and understanding
To take better care of you

It’s been over a year without her
Without her voice, her smile
Her laugh, her advice, her warmth
Her unconditional love

I’m trying to speak to you the way she would
I can hear her now
You’re such a good daughter
Such a good mom
A sweet sister
A supportive wife
A loyal friend

I’m proud of you
I know it hasn’t been easy
To get out of bed
To stop crying
To eat

In a year filled with loss
When it felt like the world betrayed you
Your body betrayed you
When you felt broken
You tried to keep it all afloat for everyone
While treading water
You uplifted others in their grief
While drowning in your own

I’m proud of you
You kept going
Taught yourself to swim again
Learned that laughter isn’t betrayal
And joy isn’t treason
Discovered that grief remains because love remains

I’m proud of you
For honoring memories and me
For staying kind despite it all

Keep going
You’re finding your spark again
Your creativity, your light
Promise you’ll turn your light toward yourself, too

I’m proud of you
You’re such a good daughter
Such a good mom
A sweet sister
A supportive wife
A loyal friend

But I need you to know:
Being the eldest means you were born first
That’s all
There is no position description
There are no job responsibilities
No obligations
No annual reviews
You’re not on call
Your worth does not depend on your productivity

I need you to know:
I’m proud of you
For everything you’ve done and who you are
But the shoes were never yours to fill

I need you to know:
The world won’t collapse if you rest
If you take a break
If you say no
If you set boundaries
If you choose peace
If you choose your health
If you choose you

I need you to know:
The love remains
Everyone will be okay
You can stop holding your breath
You can close your eyes
And breathe
Be still
Be

Linger and look
And see what I see
You
Loved
Enough
Never too much
The best thing I ever did
And me
Smiling, proud
Reflected in you

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• About
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Ann Marie Gardinier

Ann Marie is a professor, storyteller, and New Yorker currently living in Virginia. Her work has been featured in HuffPost, Medium, and 30Seconds. She is also the author of an award-winning children's book, Bucket Filling Fairy, inspired by one of the characters in her play Have You Filled a Bucket Today? The play has been produced at theatre companies and schools across the U.S. and had its international premiere in Queensland, Australia. Ann Marie is currently working on a memoir and her second play (for grown-ups).

Latest posts by Ann Marie Gardinier (see all)

• Voices in the Mirror - August 12, 2025
• Lady Liberty Whispers - May 29, 2025