spread your wings

that reciprocal tug in the gut
not of "oh I get that you're just now grasping it"
but "oh I get that and I want to give you a standing ovation for still breathing, dear one,"
mutual empathy,
and congratulations for grasping with bloodless desperate talons onto what was, honoring your history through what is,
because I feel your trembling
I feel that almost-about-to-let-go
that edge of the precipice, can't bear this weight without stumbling and plunging over

Oh, dear, I want to pull you close and remind you that you aren't alone
That you're stronger than you know
That you're here and I'm here
And keep breathing,
please,
keep breathing.

Do justice to those who came before,
who didn't;

keep breathing.

You've got this.
I have faith in very little anymore.
But, sugar, I have faith in you.