You thought you were done,
didn’t you? That after the most
difficult human in your life—

the one who made you, bore you,
raised you, challenged you
endlessly—had, as they say,

left the building, you’d passed
the final exam. Maybe not with an A,
though you think you deserve

one for effort—but passed it.
Learned a lot. Moving on.
Grateful. Really. Whew!

But no. There’s another who
regularly shows up in a place
where you do, and she exhibits

so many traits of the one who
made you, you half think that
the original model has whipped

this up just for you. This abrasive
know-it-all, always-has-a-comment,
needs-to-be-right one has you

weighing the pros and cons of
returning. But you adore others
here, enjoy their presence,

so you strap on your best
lovingkindness practice and
show up to, well, practice.

“May you be peaceful,” you mutter.
May you be well. May you be happy.
May you be free from suffering
and the causes of suffering.”

Forgetting, of course, that you
need to start with you:

“May I be peaceful,” you sigh.
May I be well. May I be happy.
May I be free from suffering
and the causes of suffering.”

(You hear one of the companion
spirits whisper, “I’ve got your
causes of suffering right here.”)

This is a test. This is only a test.
If this was a real emergency,
we’d let you know. Is it possible

that you might need more practice
in patience? Along with tolerance,
acceptance, water off a duck’s back,

no biggie, baby—you do you.
Because class is not yet dismissed.
Earth School is still in session.

We’re so glad to see how well
you’re taking notes. You get
an A+ for that.