It's been close to a year since Kyle passed away. In that year it's been a year of firsts. The first start of school without him, the first birthday, the first Christmas. Ugh.It has also been a year of things I've never thought I'd be doing. Creating his website, writing a blog and planning a lasting tribute. Those of you who know me well, know I don't like meetings. But, for the last year, I've been a part of the Sakai Arts & Traditions Committee and attending meetings. As part of this group, I've helped in making Kyle's Marimba, an art installation at his school, a reality. I am so excited it's all coming together. Next week ground prep starts and on the 16th of February it is installation day.
It's only fitting that his memorial is a musical instrument. Kyle has been drawn to music from an early age. As a toddler he loved to clap rhythms and play his Barney banjo that he got from Aunt Julie and Uncle Pip (he couldn't quite pronounce Chip). God, I can still hear that banjo. It had a laser light where the strings would be, and if the light was interrupted the music would play. Later on it was the snare drum I bought at a garage sale. Boy, the neighbors loved that. The acoustic guitars, the electric one, and the drum sets. He drummed so often it was even part of his grade school conference to try and stifle his drumming during class with pencils and even his hands. When Kyle was older it was all about his ipod. It was the first thing he grabbed when his eyes opened. And let's not forget his air guitar and rock star moves which were finely crafted by watching his Big and Rich concert on the dvr over and over. About three years ago we had a concert in our backyard. The other kids were running around and playing, not listening to the music. Kyle inevitably found his way on stage, front and center, with a marker in his hand which doubled as a microphone. Then he just sat down, still on stage, still in front, and drummed with the markers.
Are you wondering why Kyle is in his boxer briefs in the photo? This was taken at Seattle Center after a day at the Science Center and a romp in the big fountain. We were not prepared enough to bring swimming suits, so Mitch and Kyle stripped down to underwear and had fun. I saved the dry clothes for the ferry ride home. On the way to the car we stopped and listened to this bongo band. Kyle was rocking to the groove so enthusiastically that they invited him to play. That kind of stuff was always happening to him. He was a lucky guy.
I'll let you know more about Kyle's Marimba and the details of the dedication ceremony a bit later. It would be cool if you could be there.
Tam~ I'm so excited to hear that Kyle's Memorial is almost ready! I would love to attend the dedication ceremony.
ReplyDeleteMelbys - We will be there to celebrate the memorial. Thank you for doing the work to make it really happen. It's basketball season again. Last year at this time, I was just starting to get to know Kyle. We'd see him at the games and he would cheer for Mitch. Often we'd be following your car on the way home. I'd hold up the peace sign at Kyle and Mitch and wave like a crazy person. I miss seeing his face looking back at me. Shanti shanti shanti ...
ReplyDeleteTammy and Doug and Mitch,
ReplyDeleteThe dedication of Kyle's Marimba today was special. I loved how many of his former classmates came out to play for him and speak for him.
Today I spoke about Kyle's love of and pride in his Sakai Spirit awards. Now, I want to tell you "the rest of the story..."
On Kyle's last day at Sakai, he gave me two splendid gifts, for which I will be forever grateful.
One was that, when he left the classroom that day, he stopped at the window to wave back at me, as he did most days. On that last day, though, he stayed for the longest time, smiling sweetly, tilting his head left and right to look at me, and playing a game or two of "pooh". He stayed so long that Linda finally commented on it, just at the same time as Roger got out of the bus to yell for him to hurry up. So he waved sweetly then, and loped off along the row of cars, playing "pooh" with all the dogs and babies.
The bigger gift was that Kyle gave me his last Sakai Spirit award. He took it out of his folder on that afternoon, and said, "Isaf pizza!!" He crossed out his name and began to write mine. When I tried to stop him, he very firmly pushed my hand away and said, "Stop, please!" He finished my name, then galloped off to the office, waving the award, laughing at the top of his lungs, loudly repeating "Isaf pizza!" He went into the office, made sure everyone could see what he had done, put it in the box, turned to me with a big smile and said, "Oh yeah!"
When I close my eyes to remember Kyle, it is his beautiful smiling face through the window that I see, and it is "Isaf Pizza! Oh yeah!" that I hear.
Thank you for sharing your boy with us. With me.
Ailene Isaf
Kyle was always friendly. From the second you saw him you could tell he was someone wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI remember, last year, in Band at Sakai. We were all playing our instruments (which I know Kyle loved!) and Kyle came up to the door, looked in the window, and waved at us all. Everyone knew and loved him and shouted, 'Kyle! It's Kyle!' Mr. Burton didn't like the distraction, but he smiled (a rare moment for Mr. Burton) and waved back at Kyle.
I'm so sorry for you loss, he was a lovely, wonderful, joyous boy who lived a very happy life. It was hard losing him, and I'm glad that he had such a happy, yet short :(, time during the years of his life.
-Katie Mason Karcher (I was in Kyle's art class. I said hi to him two days before he died. It was an awful, tragic shock that I will never forget. But, I will also never forget the good times. I hope you guys are doing better than okay, even though I know that's hard.)
Hard to believe that a year has gone by. What a positive force he was in so many lives. What a positive force his memory continues to be.
ReplyDeleteLove to Tammy, Doug and Mitch.