Hello Babies,

You’re a few days away from being 17 months guys! I have tried to sit down to write this post a few times and have just never gotten the right words to a page, so we’re going to try again. (But first an updated picture of you for posterity!)

The world has gotten weird. The last time I wrote to you was in May. It’s crazy how much has happened while the world has been mostly on pause! Let me tell you some important things I want you to know about this time in your lives.

Let’s start with this: kindness first, kindness always. Let’s try that again: KINDNESS FIRST, KINDNESS ALWAYS. Something I’m sure you’ll learn in school someday (and if you don’t, then it’s an example of history being written by those who won…) is that the world is extremely divisive right now. What the heck is that word? Divisive: tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people. When I was growing up, there were divisive issues, definitely, but we were encouraged to avoid talking about them to avoid conflict. I’m not sure if avoiding them caused or furthered the agitation and unrest seen in the world today but I do know that my generation (in a general sense) sincerely was not taught a good way to discuss, mediate, consider, or thoughtfully and respectfully disagree. This is why your daddy and I will always teach you kindness first, kindness always.

So what is it in our world that is so divisive these days? Abortion? That feels like the most divisive thing I can think of for the last half century! Of course that’s still up there but something new has taken a front seat for the time being: face masks. Face masks may seem like a rather innocuous thing to be so front and center as the cause of so much disagreement and hostility. Let’s talk a little about why: there is a statewide mask mandate that went into effect this past Saturday. Coronavirus is still an avid worry for the world. Parts of the United States have been greatly impacted: New York, Florida, and Arizona have all seen soaring numbers and at or near capacity ICU beds. Stripped down to the very basics, the idea is if people wear masks, it will help prevent the spread of the virus further.

Unfortunately, another thing you’ll learn in life is one size does not fit all. And you know what? It shouldn’t! Each solution will have its own accompanying set of problems precisely because there are so many complexities that come into play. So while at the very basics, this mandate is well intentioned, there is a LOT of very vocal (and other) unrest about being asked by lawmakers to wear a mask when in a public indoor situation. For the record, Mom and Dad are complying and feel like it is the least we can do (and if in the end they prove the masks didn’t help, then I guess we were a modicum uncomfortable and more the fool – although it’s ok to be a fool now and again).

So what’s got people stirred up about it? Well for one, people REALLY don’t like change. We live in a time where all the world’s information is at our fingertips immediately. And it is very uncomfortable to have competing/missing/untrue/no information regarding masks and it’s relation to coronavirus. Some say they work and are necessary, some say they don’t work and are silly. Some people frankly, don’t want to be told what they can and can’t do with their bodies. I think there are even some who are just mad and it’s not really about the masks. In fact, I’m glossing over many of the other reasons circulating out there for the simple fact that I cannot explicate all of them or this would be the longest letter to you guys I would ever write. The point I am trying to make is this: these masks are causing an upheaval. There are lots of very pointed social media posts and real world reactions happening, some bordering on rude or outright hateful. From both sides of the fence, people who are pro and con masks. And there is a lot of unkindness.

Girls, my point is this: the world we are living in right now does not feel very kind. And I get it, we’re scared and we’re angry and we’re uncomfortable. And yet: I strongly feel that there is never a time for “kindness last”. I am not immune from unkind thoughts. But I try to change those thoughts to better kinder ones. If there is one thing I can give you as a parent, I hope to give you kindness and the ability to live by kindness first and always. Form your opinions! Be strong women! Be steadfast in love! Find productivity! But most of all, be kind.

This may have been a rambling of sorts to you guys (and I haven’t even touched on some of the other things in the world that have caused us to steep in this divisive nature – another post for another day) but it is because I truly believe that you and your peers are the future and I sincerely hope that the future you create embodies kindness wholly.

Love, Mommy