I don't know if Missy meant it like this but this is how I interpreted it. I think its about a girl whos parents got a divorce when she was pretty young and her mother is not very kind to her throughout her childhood. Now her mom is dying and she is trying to apologize and make up for all the things she did. the daughter wonders if it is truthful because "she only half here". She remembers the times before the divorce "She's back again through summers past the smell of rain and freshly cut grass seems those ordinary days are the ones that last" (I just have to say that phrase are probably the most amazing lyrics I have ever heard and so true) She kind of mocks her in the next phrase saying she could never let go even though she did let go of him. she seems to regret it but "shes only half here". In the chorus the daughter is shocked that her mom is being so kind to her shes "not who she remembers". "Is this the cooling of the embers"; is it the time to drop all the resentment and except this new person whos only half here. The reference to the child means the sudden change in her mother is like the many sudden changes a child experiences everyday. The daughter does know what to think should she trust what she knows about her mother which is the terrible side or should she "cool the embers" and let go of that and trust this new person who apologizes.
I don't know if Missy meant it like this but this is how I interpreted it. I think its about a girl whos parents got a divorce when she was pretty young and her mother is not very kind to her throughout her childhood. Now her mom is dying and she is trying to apologize and make up for all the things she did. the daughter wonders if it is truthful because "she only half here". She remembers the times before the divorce "She's back again through summers past the smell of rain and freshly cut grass seems those ordinary days are the ones that last" (I just have to say that phrase are probably the most amazing lyrics I have ever heard and so true) She kind of mocks her in the next phrase saying she could never let go even though she did let go of him. she seems to regret it but "shes only half here". In the chorus the daughter is shocked that her mom is being so kind to her shes "not who she remembers". "Is this the cooling of the embers"; is it the time to drop all the resentment and except this new person whos only half here. The reference to the child means the sudden change in her mother is like the many sudden changes a child experiences everyday. The daughter does know what to think should she trust what she knows about her mother which is the terrible side or should she "cool the embers" and let go of that and trust this new person who apologizes.