A month ago, Michael and I welcomed our son Mateo Paz Balderrama into this world.
I’m still finding the words (do they even make words for the first time you see your heart beating outside of your body?)
I feel the need for a new language and simultaneously like I’m accessing something ancient that I’ve been waiting my whole life to know.
We are immersed in awe and wonder—Mateo is curious, delightful, resilient, and has already dropped off his vote by mail ballot for #BidenHarris2020.
A few days ago we walked all the way to town for the first time.
On the way home, I told him about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—her life, her legacy, and the plethora of freedoms I get to experience thanks to her work.
He cried the whole way (as you do when you hear the story of a woman who made the impossible possible).
I hold him how she taught us that hope is a verb, and that we must use it relentlessly to build the new world.
How she was done with the realities for women in this country, and how she went all in on her commitment to equality.
How what we love about RBG lives in each of us, too.
I wonder what would happen if we all moved with the same kind of hope Ruth did—determined, specific, unshakeable.
Her passing is a devastating loss, and also an invitation to each of us to be done with what is, so we can dedicate our lives to what can be.
If there is any part of us that has been holding back (in any aspect of our lives)—may today be the day we are done.
If there is any part of us that has been hanging on the sidelines—may today be the day we jump in the arena.
If there has been any part of us that has been waiting for it to get better or waiting to be nominated or waiting for someone else to do it for us—may today be the day we get out of the waiting room and go all in.
Because one day, there will be a woman on a walk with her newborn son, telling him about how your voice, your creations, your actions, and your conviction changed her life.
(What you love about RBG lives in you, too).
Where are you holding back?
And what would happen if you went all in?
Here’s to RBG, who sounded her voice so we could sound ours.
Here’s to you, going all in and building the new world.
Hope is a verb, and history is made by all of us, being done.
With big love and endless encouragement,
LK
ps >> Are you registered to vote? If not, head here to register or check your registration.
pps >> Thank you all for being a part of Mateo’s village. Thank you for all of the support, advice, encouragement, gifts, notes—we are filled with gratitude for all of the loving energy you have sent our way. And—here we are:)