There was something so heavy about the burden of history, of the past. I wasn't sure I had it in me to keep looking back.

As I stepped out to face myself in the mirror, reaching a hand to smooth away the steam, I saw myself differently. It was as if I had grown again as I slept, but this time just to fit my own size. As if my soul had expanded, filling out the gaps of the height that had burdened me all these months. Like a balloon filling slowly with air, becoming all smooth and buoyant, I felt like I finally fit within myself, edge to edge, every crevice filled.

My experience is that sequels are rarely as good as the originals.

Yeah. I mean, acknowledging is easy. Something happened or it didn't. But understanding... that's where things get sticky.

And while it is hard enough to take away something that makes a person happy it's even more difficult when it seems like it's the only thing.

If things don't work out the way you want, hold your head up high and be proud. And try again. And again. And again!

I was tired of hanging on, taking the torn pieces to make something whole with them.