I was watching a TV show, and I ran my fingers through my hair. It was thick, even though it’s thinning, because I’m Italian/Polish/Etc. and use what’s known as “wax.” I thought, “I want to see this.” I walked into my bathroom, and looked in the mirror.
I saw a man. I saw a man I barely recognized. Sure, I had a few beers tonight, but clearly, I’m coherent. No, I saw someone I didn’t really recognize because I came here nearly a year ago, and I’ve changed.
I looked at my hair. It was sticking straight up in the center, and the sides were normal. It was pretty goofy.
I looked at my eyes. They’re still light brown. I watched until they tracked away from their counterparts in the mirror as they investigated the face before them.
Earlier, I had shown Robbie pictures from my brother’s bachelor party, and some pictures from just before I left for Korea. I looked much fatter then, and we both had a good chuckle as Robbie’s glance shot between my face and the pictures.
“Man, you were fatter. It ain’t no fuckin’ joke.”
“I know.”
Later, still in front of the mirror, I looked at my face. The same thoughts struck me then that had struck me before: You look older. Granted, I’m turning 25 next week, which isn’t old, but it’s much older than I was. And I’ve seen much more than I had before.
Essentially, I looked in the mirror, just a few minutes ago, and saw a person I barely recognized. Call it a moment of clarity, or call it a drunken halluciantion, but I saw it, and it made me think. I just hope other people get the same chance to consider themselves.
