Looking in the Mirror

By: CIW Program Participants

When I look in the mirror, I see a woman who has earned each strand of silver hair. Rather than covering up my gray, I embrace the wisdom that age represents. Life has been a series of valuable, difficult challenges filled with pain, joy, love, and growth. Each experience has contributed to the journey that brought me to this moment in time, looking in this prison mirror, inspecting the changes that come from a life lived.

Paige

Love is not just a verb; it is you looking in the mirror.
— Kendrick Lamar

When I look in the mirror, I admire my true self looking back at me.

Alofa

When I look in the mirror, I see my strength because just a few years ago when I would look in the mirror, I would see black eyes, cuts and bruises and I’m thankful that I no longer have to deal with domestic violence.

Victoria

When I look in the mirror, I see an old-school soul. I see my culture, my morals, my values. I see my parents through me.

Diana

Comments from the community:

You can feel the weight of regret in every line — and the courage it takes to stop hating yourself and try to heal.
— Sarah