3/26/18, “Wonderful Robin”

Hi Everyone,
 

I hope that all is well with you. I had a VERY full week last week, ‘on the road’ again, and the high point of my week, my year was my appearance last Friday on Good Morning America, with Robin Roberts. Although at the beginning of my career, when I was terrified of TV appearances, and public appearances in general, too shy to be in the spotlight that way, everyone said ‘You’ll get used to it’. They lied!! I never did. I’m a little less paralyzed than I used to be by TV and public appearances, but it’s always hard for me. I flew in from Paris on a very delayed flight, fraught with annoyances along the way (an airline strike in Paris, a 3 hour delay, and a slightly less than smooth arrival at the New York airport, late, tired, and with 3 tiny dogs in tow. The hair and makeup people arrived at my hotel, for the show, at 3:30 am, and I arrived at the TV studio for GMA ‘camera ready’ and with 2 hours sleep under my belt—BUT excited to see Robin. It is always, always a huge honor to be on Good Morning America, with Robin. I do very, very few interviews and TV appearances, and refuse any show where they have been hostile or difficult in the past (It happens. Some interviewers think that being aggressive with guests or embarrassing them is ‘cool’ and edgy, and what viewers want to see). Robin Roberts is the exact opposite of that spectrum. She is truly one of the nicest, kindest, most generous, gracious women I know. Her outer beauty is extraordinary, and her inner beauty is even more so. She is the only person alive who actually makes me look forward to doing a show, with her!!!! I’d come through snow, sleet, airline strikes, and delayed flights, and no sleep, to be on a show with her. I can’t even begin to tell you how she radiates ‘goodness’. I feel blessed sitting next to her, and she makes me feel like Queen for a Day. Every appearance with her is unforgettable. This time, to promote my new book “Accidental Heroes”, I love that book, which makes it easier to talk about. (And I hope you’ll love it too). I often speak of the few rare people one meets in a lifetime who are truly special. You know you are with a remarkable human being when you’re with them. They radiate warmth and light. I can count on one hand and few fingers those special people I’ve met. Robin is one of them. I really love and admire her, and I’m always grateful and feel privileged and honored to be on the show with her. And this time, she surprised me at the end, giving me warm fuzzy pink unicorn slippers!!! they are the cutest thing you’ve ever seen!!! I’m going to wear them on long, cold writing nights and think of her!!! She is truly one of the most special people I know, and have ever known. I float off the set afterwards, touched once again by the aura of her kindness. What a gift she is!!!
 

The other event worth mentioning today are the marches in cities all over the country this past Saturday, inspired and organized by the young high school students who survived the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. We are all horrified by these heartbreaking events, which leave a wake of injured and dead students and teachers each time, and broken hearts. We watch from the sidelines, and have since one of the early shootings in Columbine sixteen years ago, and since then, these events have happened again and again. And not just school shootings, but horrifying events like the shooting last year in Las Vegas after a concert. And each time, not only innocent adults, but children and teen agers lie dead, or maimed for life. We all feel helpless, and wish we could do something, anything to help. The politics involved are beyond most of us, and we all mourn the innocent victims. There are so many, too many of these events to mourn and remember now, Sandy Hook only a few years ago, where small children were killed. But this time, the survivors have not vanished into anonymity to repair their broken lives, with tragic memories. This time, the students have found their voice, and will not be forgotten, and refuse to disappear in silence. They have rallied us all, and marched in many cities on Saturday. Their battle cry is “Never Again”, and I believe that their courage will make a difference and bring about change which will benefit us all. In very few years, these young people will be old enough to vote, to demand change, and to effect that change. That school shooting will change their lives and ours, and I add my voice to theirs, “Never Again!!”. It hits close to home for me, as my great niece was the victim of the terrorist bombing in Brussels 2 years ago, and lost both her legs at 17. She was hoping to ride in the equestrian events in the next Olympics, and she is a remarkable, incredibly brave fantastic girl. Two years after the bombing, at 19, she is in rehab at a Naval Facility in the US, graduated from high school, will attend college in the fall, is training with her horse again, and will ride for the USA in the Paralympics. These brave young people who refuse to be beaten will make our future and theirs a better place, and a better world!!! Never Again!!!
 

And I cannot let this week go past without thinking about, and sharing with you, that Easter will be this Sunday. As I always say, it is my favorite religious holiday (other than Christmas, which I love)—-Easter is about the resurrection, and reminds us all to rise from the ashes and heartbreaks and despair in our lives, to be reborn, to reclaim a better life, to be healed from the scars that mark us. May we all feel reborn in some small, or large way, and may these wonderful young people remind us to be strong, courageous, and hopeful.
 

I send you all my love, and wish you a Happy Easter, and healing from any sorrows in your life.

with special love, Danielle