Reframe that Broken Heart

I’d mentally reframe
that broken heart.
That is a dangerous
identification that you
do not want to actualize.
Cherish them
instead of miss them.
Love them unconditionally,
instead of being
angry with them.
Feel your indelible,
eternal togetherness,
instead of focusing on
a forced separation
against your will.
You are not
conflicting wills
wanting different things.
Release the futile desire
to make better choices for them.

You have already
more than grieved; let it go.
It was never about you,
no matter how much it seems
to have impacted you.
They continue on
unabated, unthwarted.

Each of you
is a complete idea of God;
no one is a failure at
reflecting hope and continuance.
You were never appointed
to carry a load
regarding their actions.
If you put it down
you are not loving them less,
but caring for yourself better,
as you wish they
would have done
for themselves.

Your heart is full.
Your heart is healthy,
feeling, functioning,
generous, kind, just,
earnest, compassionate,
beloved, essential,
beautiful- many, many things.
Broken is not one of them.

Reframe
by identifying your heart
as resilient, strong,
elastic, surviving,
steady, conscientious,
active, persevering,
humble, patient,
gracious, and yes,
magnanimously forgiving.

by Polly Castor
February 24, 2024