None But The Brave - Bruce Springsteen

3.13.20

It's Friday the 13, there's a full moon tonight, we're governed by a useless kakistocracy during a global pandemic and I'm pregnant.

Fun!

And not at all terrifying.

It’s in situations like this that I strive to remember my British roots - inhale digestive biscuits and tea like it’s my job.

Wait. No. Wrong British plan.

Keep calm and carry on.

High anxiety leads to high blood pressure which leads to a whole slew of issues and we’re not in the business of doing that these days.

So, we’re washing our hands, we’re focusing on what we can do instead of what frightens us and we’re going to get through this. Together.

I’ve been interested in true crime stories ever since I can remember and as a result, I listen to a lot of true crime podcasts (including ones about Scott and Laci Peterson which is a terrible idea for a pregnant woman). It was through these podcasts that I learned about Gavin de Becker’s The Gift of Fear - an amazing book which talks about the inherent predictability of violence and how to become more aware of pre-incident indicators of violence.

Basically, the book tells you that listening to your intuition is smart. It’s the part of our brain connected to our caveman beginnings whose only function is to keep us alive.

I’m not listening to a constant stream of 24-hour network news and I’m certainly not listening to Trump (see aforementioned statement about blood pressure and also the fact that he is an aggressively stupid man), but I’m taking a few moments every day to listen to experts - virologists and immunologists and I’m listening to my intuition about how best to proceed under these circumstances.

Both of my grandmothers respectively had over six children in India and Africa in the 40s and 50s.

Survival is what we do.

Hey kiddo - it's Mom.

The world can be a scary place sometimes and I just wanted to let you know that it's OK to be scared. 

Being scared can be smart - it can protect you and give you what you need to make it through a bad situation.

Being scared can also be an opportunity to be brave. And if you're anything like your daddy, I know you're going to have the heart of a lion. 

I hope that your leonine courage will inspire you to stand up for those who need a friend, an ally and a protector. 

I want you to know that you will always have allies and protectors in us. Daddy and I will always be here for you.

We've got your six, kid. Team Elder all in. 

See you soon.

We love you xx

P.S. - You're the size of a chocolate truffle right now which is just the cutest thing I have ever heard.

One day, when you're older - we're gonna go to the Jacques Torres store in Brooklyn. We'll share some hot chocolate and then, walk over to ride the carousel. And afterwards, we'll cuddle up in a booth and get pizza together. 

New York is an amazing place. It’s the big thumping heart of the universe and it feels like everyone belongs there.

A couple of months after Daddy and I started dating, I learned his favorite band was playing a free show in Central Park. I jokingly texted him and asked, “Kings of Leon. Free. NYC. September 28. Wanna go? :)”

He said yes and we just…went.

Daddy at the service entrance of The Dakota on the Upper West Side. John Lennon used to live here. He’s your father’s favorite Beatle and you’ll hear a lot of their music at home.

Also, Daddy had a LOT of hair back then.

Mommy at the Top of 30 Rock in Midtown. Mommy was a lot skinnier before she met Uncle Billy and he started making her fried avocado tacos.

It was the first of our adventures and the poster hanging in the hallway just outside your room is from that show.

This is our promise to you - unconditional love, travel, good food and live music.

Welcome to the family, kiddo. You’re gonna like it here.