Dear World,

When all my work was canceled due to Covid-19, I got on a flight to Hawaii.

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It’s where I grew up as a small child, and my parents still live there. We have land that’s secluded and the island we live on is pretty rural, so I figured it was the safest place I could be, while also helping my folks out. When I got there, I didn’t realize how much the stress of NY was getting to me.

You can’t avoid humans in New York City, it’s impossible. So each trip out of the house becomes this low level stress odyssey wondering if the next human you see is carrying something that will kill you. Then there’s the guilt of thinking that while also trying to share laughs and smiles so we all feel a little closer and a little less scared.


My sister and her daughters joined us in Hawaii and I was able to spend some time getting to know the littlest one, Mackenzie, who is just 2 years old.

We were swimming in the pool and I asked if she wanted to put her head under the water. She screwed up her face in a giant grimace, and then nodded yes. I asked if she was sure, and she vigorously affirmed me she was.

I was so moved by this tiny moment, that in all this existential fear and panic, here was a little girl facing her own fear boldly and courageously. She has no fear of tomorrow, or strangers, or the virus. But she knows water is scary, and still chose to dive in head first. It was a perfect reminder that things will be ok again, and that it’s a good thing we have each other to hold us up when times are frightening.


Sincerely, 

Are You Sure?

P.S.

Meet Mackenzie.