Generations gaze at me through my reflection. How many of their burdens have I been carrying.

I wonder if they feel free, now that they’ve moved on.

Or do they still feel the shackles of their traumas, their fears, their doubts, their limitations. Still chained to this world, through the strands in my DNA.

So many truths glaring at me. Do I have to be the one brave enough to confront them? Acknowledge them.

Generation through generation. Continuously passed down.

My grandfathers nose. My aunts cheekbones. My fathers hair. My grandmothers lips.

Their history is imbedded in every facet of my being, flowing through my veins. Waiting for my to tether them.

Or set them free.

So many possibilities. And after searching through and taking note, documenting like an archeologist discovering a new specifies, I gather the courage to meet my own eyes. My mothers eyes.

My minds eye removes the chains and I feel my soul being lifted.

And I say the words I believe would have helped save them all.

“I love you.”