Last Monday, Sidney’s Spanish 4 class observed Día de Muertos or Day of the Dead. The students were asked a few weeks prior to pick a relative or a famous person they would like to give a two minute speech about in front of the class (in Spanish, of course). I was a little surprised that Sidney chose Ken simply because I didn’t know what effect speaking about her Dad in front of a class of 32 in another language would have. This marked the most public expression of her feelings & memories about him to date. But I should not have been worried. Sidney has shown me time and again that she rises to challenges and can do hard things. And while this speech was a memorialization–capturing favorite memories of Ken–I didn’t know how it would go. But she said it went smoothly and I am so proud of her. In her lead up to the day, she practiced the speech with me and I think with my 2 years of high school Spanish, I understood about 70% of it. She later read me a translated version that included details of remembering how she enjoyed him reading the Harry Potter books to her in various voices, how he would help her with math and how he made up fun games to help with learning (especially reading). But it all just shows me that I need to be more trusting that the kids know their capacities when it comes to talking & sharing about Ken and how it will make them feel.
Here is a photo of the mini ofrenda (colorful altar) that Sidney made to go along with her speech.
I’d love to see an English translation of her speech .
I deleted Facebook months ago so don’t know what’s happening in the world. What grade is Sid in?
Scrolling down I see Calvin’s gotten tall like Ken. You must be feeding him right. Good genes!!!
Keep up the good work.
Congratulations to Sidney for being so brave and capable. What a wonderful tribute to Ken!
Wow – how amazing! Sidney is as talented as Ken and you in many ways. I admire her ability to speak about him in such a personal way in front of her class – as an adult, I don’t think I could do that! It reminds me that people we’ve loved and lost are always with us – they never leave us. Congratulations to her and also to you – Kali, what you identified in Sidney’s bravery is a reflection of your own. I don’t know how you do it lady, but your strength, choosing to be brave and bold in the very face of fear and uncertainty makes you one in a million. You and Ken have done an incredible job fostering Sidney and Calvin’s imaginations and creativity and you continue to inspire them (and us) every day.