FIGHTING THE CORONA VIRUS WITH WORDS - BETH WARD FRANCESCONI

Katie, Peter & Anna -

It's a strange war we are fighting in this once in a century global pandemic named COVID-19. The alliances are all countries working together to stop a deadly disease. And the soldiers are you and the nurses, the hospital staff,  the janitors, the delivery personal, mailmen, grocery workers, pharmacists and any other fighter willing to go to a job deemed "essential." All the rest of us can do is STAY HOME and shelter in place.

But we as your family can do one thing from our couches, our desks, our kitchen tables. We can share with each of you how proud we are of every battle you are waging to preserve our lives along with the rest of humanity. And that is the goal of this blog. To share with each of you that though we can't be on the front lines fighting with you hopefully our words provide the inspiration you need to get up and save lives.

And in 2020 what we will remember most:

Stand back six feet

Touch elbows not hands

Practice social distancing

More masks

Stockpile ventilators

Test, test, test

PPE

Howling, cheering, opera singing at 7 pm

It's more deadly than the flu

Wash, wash, wash your hands

As your big sister(and sister in law) I couldn't be more proud or more humbled by the incredible individuals each of you are. Thank you and stay sane and safe. --Beth

BECAUSE OF YOU WE HAVE HOPE - KELLY ALLEN

Peter, Anna and Katie, 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.! Your courage, compassion and sacrifice give us all hope!

Definitely dark uncertain times, but feeling there is light at the end of the tunnel because of you. So grateful and proud to have you as family! Please stay safe... keeping you in my thoughts and prayers everyday! 

With Love - Kelly

SHOUT OUT FROM GEN Z - CAETANO ABRAMSONWARD

Katie, Peter, and Anna,

It is amazing how you all are able to adapt to these changes our world is experiencing and maintain calm. You are all an inspiration to my generation, showing the challenges you are all willing to endure through these obscure and frightening times, in order to help people in need and promote the well being of our society as a whole. I appreciate all the work you have done and hope that you all can remain safe. 

with lots of love, Caetano

A PARTNER'S VIEW - ERIC HAMILTON

Beth has been pestering me about a shout-out to the Covid family frontline for her blog.

Kudos, all, and Godspeed! I usually only have snarky things to say, or creepy ones, on the Dodger’s chat, but Katie has been at this for plus-three weeks straight, 24/7, supervising her interns and Medicine staff, being briefed on worst-best case scenarios by epidemiologists...having C-19 exposures, deaths, and positive tests of her staff... the palpable (she hates when I use that word) fear, sadness, and tears she has brought home has scared me—about her wellbeing, about her best friend and head of med student education Carmen’s wellbeing, and about, primarily, the well-being of the vulnerable people they both serve who are at highest risk of death. 

So I do shout out to all with Rasta love, but particularly, in a respectful, loving sharing, to Katie Ward, of how amazing her commitment and good work is, virus or no, on the frontlines. Now for a quiet, domestic glimpse of green beans and Mac n cheese.

ACKNOWLEDGING THE ARENA DOCTORS - CHARLIE FRANCESCONI

In his 1910 speech, Citizenship in a Republic, Theodore Roosevelt describes “the man in the area”. Antipodal to the man in the arena is the critic. The critic holds power and influence. He points out how the man fails. The critic speaks but does not act. His words are meaningless and non-essential. The man in the arena is passionate and courageous. In the arena he is an unrelenting advocate for his cause. The tasks this man takes on are challenging and he fails. Unlike the critic he can fail because he embodies all who do in this world. The man in the arena faces the might of suffering in this world and decides to act. The man in the arena is essential to this world. Although they may not both identify as men, all three Ward doctors embody the man in the arena. In the face of world pandemic the Ward doctors embrace their title of essential worker. They courageously take on this challenge, poised to conquer the virus haunting citizens globally.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” - Theodore Roosevelt

BROTHERLY LOVE - BEN FRANCESCONI

Thank you to all the Ward family doctors during these trying times.
There are no words that can be written to show the true gratitude I
have for all of you and the thanks for the amazing things you are
all doing. I want to start this post off by connecting one of my favorite
memories of Peter who gave Charlie and I our first copy of Super
Mario Galaxy for the Wii. I remember playing this game for hours
on end with my brother and it helped us build great bonds. I am
extremely thankful to Peter for giving us this top notch video game
and that deepened our brotherly relationship just like yours with Tommy!

And thanks to Katie who let me experience my first time in the Scooby Do jumpy
bus!

Overall all of the Ward family doctors have given me more than I could ask.
I am grateful for the good they are putting out into the world during these
crazy times and I also hope to see all of you soon. Lots of love!

-Ben 

COUSIN REMINISCING DURING COVID-19 - PAT & MARY NINNEMAN

Anna, Katie and Peter,

Thank you for all your work during these challenging times.  As we shelter in place,
we know you are on the front lines fighting this deadly illness.  Much gratitude for all you do.
We add our note to let you know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. 

I would add some fun photos from our youth but they are all at my Mom's house.
But such good memories from Newport Beach, Christmas in California (Rock Em Sock
Em Robots anyone?), Disneyland and fun in the waves.  And of course Anna and Peter's
amazing wedding!

We also fondly remember Grandma's 100th birthday party and the lovely gathering
at Huntington Beach. 

Stay strong and healthy.  Thoughts and prayers to you and your children. 
And once again ... thank you!

Love, 

Mary and Patrick