The poser

The Girl Who Always Knew Her Angle Sana was such a poser—and I say that with all the love in the world. She would hand me her phone, strike a pose, and make me take twenty pictures, minimum. And after all that, not a single one would be “good enough.” She always had a very specific image in her mind, something only she could see, some perfect angle or expression she was chasing. Every time, she would look at the photos, shake her head dramatically, and say, “Mom, you are terrible at pictures.” And every time I would laugh and say, “I have no idea what you want!” It became our little routine: her directing, me trying (and apparently failing), both of us rolling our eyes in our own ways. What I wouldn’t give now for one more chance to try again. One more afternoon of her posing, fussing, and telling me I was doing it wrong. One more moment to stand behind the camera while she created the image she saw in her heart. Today, I yearn for her to be here so I can take as many pictures as she wants—hundreds, thousands—every imperfect one of them perfect to me. This is for you, Sana. My beautiful girl who always knew exactly how she wanted to be seen.