Dear John,

I was listening to a podcast a few days ago on NPR's On Point. One of the guests, Professor Omid Safi, referenced a line from a poem by the 13th-century Persian poet, Rumi, when answering a question about how to connect with others during the current global pandemic. Instead of asking "How are you?" when checking in on friends and family, he suggested asking "How is your heart?"

The context for this phrasing is to go deeper, beyond the typical niceties, and sincerely inquire about how people are holding up under these difficult circumstances. With the vast array of changes to daily life this crisis has prompted, it is indeed a compelling question. The answers to this question, he noted, are neither simple nor surprising.

Folks note their heart is happy to be spending more time with their families; very stressed about their small businesses not surviving; worried about their elderly parents' vulnerability to the virus; grateful that their kids have a comparatively less chance of serious complications should they be infected; overwhelmed at the daily news onslaught of more deaths across the globe; blissfully distracted during their weekly Zoom happy hour with friends; exhausted from taking care of little ones all day and homeschooling older kids while trying to work; missing their families and friends who they can't travel to see; deeply grateful they still have jobs they can do from home; paralyzed with fear when their loved ones go in for their nursing or grocery clerk shift; angry at people who are not complying with appropriate social distancing guidelines; grieving the loss of a loved one who died alone; finding solace in delivering meals to their shut-in neighbors; blessed to have their children all under one roof.

The amalgam of sentiments and concerns that have gathered in each of us over the days, weeks, and months of this global pandemic and societal quarantine may be unique to us and, yet, familiar to just about every one of our fellow human beings around our planet. It is the human experience, in all of its beautiful, messy, heart-wrenching complexity.

So, I'm reaching out today to ask you: How is your heart?

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What has been your heart's journey through this crisis? How did you feel when you first started sheltering-in-place and how do you feel now, weeks or months into it? How has it impacted your relationship with close family and distant friends? Have there been silver linings that have surprised you? What are the lessons you will take away from this experience or new practices you will continue in your life when the pandemic is over?

I will share with you and ask you to share with me. This isn't as a candidate, it's as a friend.

My heart is anxious about the number of new cases and deaths around the U.S.; it is worried for my colleagues and friends who are working night and day to care for others while putting themselves at risk; it is grateful that my college kids who are usually a plane ride away are sleeping down the hall from me; it is on high alert every time I call or I receive a call from my folks anticipating worrisome news; it is thankful for our friends' and extended family's good health; it is joyful but yearning when I Facetime or Zoom with those I love but cannot visit or hug; it is heavy when I think of all those families mourning the loss of loved ones; it is aching for those who are struggling financially while also worrying about keeping their families healthy; it is peaceful as I reflect on the simplicity of my days right now; it is impatient for things to get better; it is cautious when considering how we'll get to "better."

You may relate to some or, perhaps, none of how my heart is these days. Being able to experience a spectrum of affects during these difficult times is a blessing that is not lost on me.

So, I ask you, my friend...How is your heart? I would be humbled to hear from you, to learn from you - your feelings, your stories, your lessons.

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Thank you for your openness, your generosity of heart, your willingness to share, your trusting grace. I look forward to receiving your responses.

We're all in this together. We hear the phrase all the time, in all sorts of situations and, often, the words ring hollow. But I honestly cannot recall another time in my life when I felt more connected to complete strangers - whether on the other side of the neighborhood or the other side of the globe - than I do now. My actions, your actions, each person's actions are impactful and can contribute to the shortening or prolonging of this crisis. When we simply acknowledge this shared human experience of sheltering-in-place, and all that comes with it, we convey a context that has never been more true. So, you see, we really are all in this together.

My family and team send our best wishes to you and yours, for good health and safe sheltering. Please keep practicing proper social distancing guidelines and take care.

Sincerely yours,

HiralPaid for by Hiral for Congress

15255 N 40th Street
Suite #125
Phoenix, AZ 85032

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