M: Hey, kid!

KM: Hey…

M: How are you? You seem a little sad.

KM: I’m okay, life’s just life, ya’ know?

M: *nods* I know, life doesn’t stop being life though!

KM: …

M: Sometimes you’ll have ups and downs. Right now, you’re going through a lot. Sometimes you’ll set it down, carry it again, and set it down again. That “a lot” doesn’t ever truly stop being a lot. But that’s okay. You get stronger. You learn things. You keep going. Sometimes you rest.

KM: Thank you for that.

M: Of course! Anytime!

KM: You’re not doing too bad for us, you know? I’m glad we pulled through. Thank you for raising me. Maybe we can chat again sometime?

M: Yeah, maybe we can. I plan to, anyway. Even if you don’t always answer right away. I’ll keep in touch.

KM: Hey, uh, before you go…?

M: Yeah?

KM: How much more do we lose?

M: I can’t tell you everything, as there would be nothing left for you to learn. We lose a lot.

KM: …

M: But we also gain more than we lose. Keep your heartbeat strong, kid, for both of us. Our future will thank us.

KM: Hey, I’m glad you visit me. You’ve made a lot of progress. I know you didn’t believe in yourself, but how could you not? You’ve been through a lot… like UH LOT UH LOT. But you still have faith and hope in humans, you still love, and you’re still working for me, for them. Give yourself more credit. If I have to keep our heart strong, you have to give yourself credit where credit is due.

M: I’ll work on that.

KM: …

KM: You say that.

But mean it…

M: …

KM: Mean it…

M: I’ll try my best to give myself more credit. No promises.

KM: Sounds about right. See you around, bigger me. I love you.

M: I love you, too, little me. Thank you for waiting.