Okay, so yesterday morning 7 sixth graders, two parents (a mom and dad of one of my students) and I headed to Columbia. We left at 10. It was a two hour trip one-way because I drove the speed limit the whole way, since I was transporting kids whose parents had put their kids' lives in my hands. Usually I drive... uh, a bit faster than the posted speed limit.
We were going to have lunch with Ibtisam Barakat, a Palestinian memoir author.
Backtrack to yesterday at 4. In the morning. The crack of chicken time. I'd had a rough evening the night before, so I couldn't cook then. And since I'm Princess Procrastination, I didn't cook a couple of evenings before. So. I had no choice but to cook--in a frenzy--yesterday morning.
I did cook. Everything got finished in time to load it in my car, along with students. That's not the slice of my life I'd like to look at today.
Today I want to reflect on the conversation we had, sitting in a big circle in the living room of my sister (the sister I've only known about for less than 20 years).
The kids were busily tearing off bits of pita bread to nibble on. They'd slurped up lentil and green wheat soups they loved. (Well, they loved the shorbet adas. The freekeh? Not so much.) They'd drunk way too much soda. Our guest of honor--Ibtisam Barakat--sat at the head of the circle, and she asked one single, mind-blowing question:
What book would you write that would heal you, and heal the rest of the world?
What had I expected when I planned this adventure? I expected my students would ask the author questions. I expected there would be some picture-taking and some book signing. What we got--so above and beyond that--was not at all what I expected.
My 6th graders answered her, one at a time. When they tried to skirt the issue with vagueness, she lasered-in on them and got them back onto the path of raw-and-honest.
The stuff the kids told about themselves. It. Was. Amazing. We laughed. We cried. We ate.
We connected...
That is amazing and will be life altering for your kids. I have received emails from former students, now grown, who have said I inspired them to pursue writing. Your students have been touched forever by your generosity at transporting them and providing this experience with an author who reached into their hearts and souls. Be proud.
ReplyDeleteLinda--It was an incredible experience for everyone. (And thanks.)
DeleteI want to comment, but I have no words that match the hopeful feeling I got from reading your slice.
ReplyDeleteKatie--If we had someone like Ibtisam in the White House (as president), we could be working on building bridges instead of working on building up more divisiveness...
DeleteYour students were served a very generous slice by the author. They will savor it for a lifetime. Kudos to you for arranging the experience, and getting up at 4:00 to finish the preparations.
ReplyDeleteVal--Thanks. It was my pleasure...
DeleteI ate (ice cream) and I cried (a tear). Wow.
ReplyDeleteThe path of raw and honest needs a leader. Thank you for sharing this slice.
Bridges instead of a wall...I love this post <3
I agree with Linda, be proud.
Fatemeh--I think that could go on a t-shirt: "The path of raw and honest needs a leader." Wow right back at you!
DeleteWow. Sometimes we get way more than we bargain for and sometimes, that's a very good and powerful thing.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing question! And ditto Cathy Hall's comment. Your young students will no doubt carry the insights from this visit with them for the rest of their lives.
ReplyDelete