The odds of you being alive.

Hi Friends,

I am currently 8 months pregnant (surprise!) and am consistently bowled over by the intricacies and odds of a person being born at all. Not to mention the striking similarities between birth and death (another newsletter perhaps).

Have you ever had someone try to convince you that life is a miracle and you are incredibly special? Perhaps an absurdly cheerful neighbor or a weird death doula you know? Meanwhile you’re thinking “mmm yeah okay, sure.” Well, I have the data to back it up now! Today’s newsletter focuses on the odds of you being alive at all. I think you’ll feel pretty accomplished after you take a look.

Keep scrolling for the song, artwork, and very relatable comic of the month. Though I will be taking maternity leave March to May, I am still here in the meantime to help with anything you may need regarding the end of life (or beginning).

P.S. If you have that sneaky feeling that life is moving too fast, check out last year’s newsletter on The Speed of Time.

Let’s take a lot at exactly how incredibly remarkable you are.

If you’d like to see all of the math behind this, click here.

Artwork

Anna Laura Sullivan

Anna Laura celebrates the magic in the mundane with her sweet water colors. She is an artist and graphic novelist originally from Nebraska. I love her sweet, simple, and colorful work! In 2024 she was recognized by the Museum for the U.N. for inspiring positive change.

Song

“Laughing With” by Regina Spektor

“No one laughs at God when the doctor calls after some routine tests/ No one's laughing at God when it's gotten real late and their kid's not back from that party yet/But God can be funny at a cocktail party when listening to a good God themed joke”

“Laughing With” is a stunning song written and performed by Regina Spektor in 2009. The song explores our different relationships with God, and how brushing up against mortality can come with such vulnerability and sincerity.

Click here to listen!

Comic

Good old Peanuts by Charles Schulz. I hear ya Charlie.

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