But looking at that photo now, eight years later, I see it differently.

Stop worrying if you’ve lost yourself. You haven’t. You’re just expanding.

The file name, auto-generated by my old phone, was simply: IMG_4578_buddys_mom.jpg .

So keep the messy bun. Keep the stained shorts. Keep kneeling on that rug. You aren't just "Buddy's Mom." You are his whole sky.

I wasn’t looking for a person named Buddy. I was looking for me .

October 26, 2023