A lesson.

Kindness without honesty is not love.

Affection without freedom is control.

And the most important truth of all:

Trust is not something you give blindly.

It’s something you rebuild with wisdom.

Three years have passed since then.

I am now sixty-two.

Every morning I walk along the beach with a cup of coffee.

Every afternoon I teach my small yoga class for women who are learning to reclaim their strength.

And every night before bed, I prepare the same drink.

Warm water.

Honey.

Chamomile.

Nothing else.

I lift the glass toward my reflection.

And whisper softly.

“For the woman who finally woke up.”

Then I drink.

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