It is my hope that in time, we can push this technology to a point where we don’t erase the painful parts of our pasts, but change the way we look at them, so that we can hold onto the strength that comes from learning those hard lessons.
And that’s why I’m applying to the open role of Memory Therapy Researcher. It would be a dream and an honor to play a role in developing technology that I know could bring so much strength and peace to those who’ve faced everything the world has thrown at them and refused to back down.
Looking forward to your response.
Kind Regards,
Milo Murphy
The crowd was silent as I finished Milo’s essay, and I let them sit with his words for a long moment before speaking again.
“Sebastian Stevens was not my brother in blood, but he was my brother in every way that mattered…”
It took everything in me not to choke on the lump in my throat so Icould continue.
“The memories I have of Sebastian hurt me more than I can even put into words. The guilt that haunts meevery day,knowing that he deserved someone to save him and I’d been too blind to see he even needed help…”
A hot tear rolled down my cheek, and Milo pressed closer to me, draping his arm around my waist in an attempt to ground me.
“But erasing my guilt would not only be selfish, it would also be dishonoring the memory of a man that shouldneverbe forgotten.
“Sebastian taught me that real love isn’t always loud. It is not transactional, and it can sometimes hurt more than it heals.
Sebastian taught me that love is sacrifice, and while love is not always kind to those who feel it, it is still an honor and privilege to receive it.
But most of all, Sebastian taught me that to truly love a person is to put their safety and happiness above your own without ever expecting anything in return… which is something Sebastian did for me for my entire life without me even knowing.”
Tears were freely flowing down both my cheeks now, and I squeezed Milo closer to me as I fought to keep my composure.
“While learning these things has caused me irreparable pain, I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I plan to take what Sebastian has taught me about love into my marriage, and I will pass these lessons down to any children we might have. I cherish them, and Sebastian’s memory is precious enough to me that the sting of regret is worth more than the bliss of ignorance.
“While I can’t change the past, Icando my best to honor Sebastian now. Something most people don’t know is that Sebastian never wanted to be in marketing. His dreams of using his creativity to help others are just another thing on a long list of sacrifices he made in his life. So, to honor him, Milo and I have created‘The Sebastian Stevens Art Therapy Foundation,’in the hopes that anyone who could benefit from the type of lessons Sebastian wanted to share with the world will have access to that knowledge and care… Milo? If you could do the honors.”
Milo nodded, his expression serious as he took the large scissors Tanya offered him.
He slipped the ribbon between the blades and paused before turning to look back at the crowd.
“To Sebastian!” he exclaimed, and I lost the battle with my tears as the crowd immediately cheered back.
“To Sebastian!” they cried, and Milo cut the ribbon.
NOVA play: To Build A Home by The Cinematic Orchestra, Patrick Watson
After the ceremony, Tanya split the crowd up into organized press tours, leaving Milo and me free to wander the grounds on our own.
One of my favorite parts of the facility was the acres and acres of green space we’d made sure patients would have access to.
Milo and I had worked closely with a landscaper to make sure it was designed in such a way that people could walk the paths and find comfort in nature if they needed to clear their minds.
The feature that I’d spent the most time obsessing over, of course, was the pond.
It was much larger than the pond that had been in my dad’s backyard, but it still felt like coming home as Milo and I approached.
The sun glistened off the dark surface of the kidney bean-shaped water feature, and there was an arched, wooden bridge that led across the centre of it.
Milo and I crossed the bridge and paused in the middle.
Milo stepped up onto the bottom rung of the bridge’s railing so he could reach to lean his elbows across the banister, and I leaned up next to him, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face.
