Actual Conversation

Stryker: "I think I pretty much do believe in reincarnation."

Matron: "Yes?"

Stryker: "It sort of makes sense, like seeds turning into plants that rot and turn into soil. Right?"

Matron: "Well, I think so."

Stryker: "But the thing you turn into sort of depends on what you were. I mean, if you're a nutrient dense plant you're going to make good soil. If you're a sort of a runt week, your soil will be lame too."

Matron: "Makes sense."

Stryker: "I'm a little worried that I might reincarnate into somebody who sits around and watches TV all day. I have that in me."

Matron: "Yes, you do. But you also have lots of wonderful parts of yourself that you could cultivate: kindness, compassion, intelligence."

Stryker: "That's true. I could pick one good thing and start really focusing on that. Which do you think, Mom?"

Matron (oh no! let's not limit ourselves to ONE): "How about a combination of three or four. Let's see. . . intelligence, kindnes and compassion? Love, respect, intelligence and fortitude? You could be 90% love and divide the remaining 10% among two other qualities--

"Mom -- you're getting too enthusiastic."

Matron (reeled in): "Sorry."

Stryker: "I'm going to pick kindness to animals. Whenever I want to lay around and watch TV, I'll do something nice to a dog instead. Like pet them or give them a treat."

Matron: "That sounds perfect."

Stryker: "You know what's strange, Mom?"

Matron: "What?"

Stryker: "I feel a little bit better about the world, already."

So does she.