She smiled through the reflection. “Remarkably better.”
Dad walked into the room, looking at her warmly. He didn’t offer empty platitudes or tell her how she ought to feel.
“How are you actually feeling today?” he simply asked.
Mom looked at her reflection, then at the photo of her mother smiling beside her.
“Like I’m seventy years old,” she smiled. “And like I finally accomplished something truly worthwhile for myself.”
