I went exploring last night.
Pulling the threads of a reality not lived,
observing the me that exists in that place and time,
and the life that he created.

The choices made were not mine…
but could have been.
A timeline not distant from my own,
It was not unpleasant, he did not seem unhappy.

But…
I felt unease, anxious at how he could be happy
without,
the suffering, the sadness, the isolation, the sleeplessness, the fear, and the anger that my choices created…
That led me to where I am.

Then he looked at me,
And smiled.
He hugged me, and wished me well,
Telling me to remember that the main reason to be alive
Is to be happy.

Maybe…
I live the life that some other versions fear.