Life is about change.
Sometimes it’s painful,
Sometimes it’s beautiful.
But most of the time it is both.
Lang Lang
TW: car accident, illness, dying
Overview: 2021-2022
Better B has been off the radar and my blog has been silent for the past couple of years. I had to take a step back to cope with a substantial number of life-changing events. I had to get a handle on and recover from two surgeries. Then the family had to cope with Papa K’s devastating diagnosis, his illness, and his caretaking. And ultimately we had to adjust to Papa’s K passing in December 2022.
Summer/Fall 2020:
Even with all the COVID restrictions and precautions, Papa K and I were so excited about the upcoming school year. We researched, read books, and more books, finally deciding on a diverse selection to present to the students at Jones Paideia Elementary Magnet School under the leadership of Principal Myra Taylor. The book lists and curriculum activities, including vocabulary words and critical thinking questions to spark creativity and ignite the thought process, were completed. We were ready to “Bring Books to Life” with a new group of 4th graders. And we were equally thrilled to initiate our Better B Book Club program for 5th-grade students.
March 2021:
In past years Better B presented 10-12 books in an academic year, however, in March 2021, Papa K and I were confronted with the first signs that our life was about to change with health challenges both his and mine. Papa K was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome. We were concerned but, as we learned more, the anxiety eased up a bit. After all, tennis star, Venus Williams had been diagnosed with the same disorder a few years before, and she was still smashing balls and winning. Papa K had good days and bad days. Some days he was too sick to join me but on his good days, after doing his meds, Papa K masked up, with gloves on (illness made his hands sensitive to the touch) and an oxygen tank in tow, to meet and greet our scholars. The students were elated to see him.
Early Fall 2021:
As in the past years, the first book presented at the beginning of the school year was Each Kindness, written by renowned author, my friend, and mentor, Jacqueline Woodson. That year both the fourth and fifth-grade students read and discussed this classic book. In our effort to build character, good values, and ethical principles, Papa K and I honed in on the importance of kindness, compassion, and empathy.
The students shared their acts or lack thereof of kindness. The students completed a two-week activity that required them to journal about their good deeds and acts of kindness, to whom, and how it made them feel. They were excited to share with their classmates how some babysat, some helped an ailing grandparent or helped their mom out with the groceries, and there were those who helped a sibling with their homework.
Team Kirkwood 4th Grade Literacy Lab had a blast bringing to life a diverse book list:
Better B Book Club Reading List
Papa K and I launched the Better B Book Club, and I must say with great joy that the Better B Book Club exceeded our expectations. Each student was given an opportunity to read. Discussions ensued, which were lively and very informative. The students were eager to read the next book and the next book. And the best news was that one of the school’s Community Partners gifted the Better B Book Club students with a copy of each book read and discussed— to add them to the at home library or start a personal library.
CHANGE IS COMING…
Late Fall/Winter 2021:
Do you recall the phrase, “When it rains, it pours?” Well, that was our fall /winter of 2021. In September I had the first of two rotator cuff shoulder tears, requiring a three-month sabbatical; in November, Papa K underwent more tests and was diagnosed with MDA5, a rare, incurable auto immune disease that affects the muscles, lungs, and skin. This news was shocking and painful. Then in December 2021, I was in a terrible car accident which resulted in a double ankle fracture. I was out of commission for an additional three and a half months. More PT- Ugh!!
Nevertheless, with family support and lots of prayers, we pressed on and were motivated and eager to continue teaching, educating, bringing light and hope to our fourth and fifth grade scholars. My daughters Anaxet and Juliette had become Papa K’s bonus daughters in 2006, and now they put their lives on hold to care for us. Thanks, beloved Daughters, we are indebted to you with an overflow of gratitude.
Happy New Year!!
Happy Kwanzaa!!
January 2022:
We were extremely hopeful at the start of the new year. We were all excited because January 4th was the publication date of my debut book, Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day. The book launch was held at the National Civil Rights Museum in my hometown, Memphis, TN.
With all the book excitement, we were hopeful and cautiously optimistic - Papa K was approved for new medicine to treat his MDA5 symptoms, and it appeared that we both seemed to be recuperating and recovering. So much so, that I was up to connect again with the kiddos.
April 2022:
In mid-April 2022, I met with the kiddos - little did I know it would be for the last time that year. The session was fun, but they missed Papa K, who had not been able to join us. One of the students asked if they could send him get well message?
Hearing from our little scholars really lifted Papa K’s spirits. He really wanted to get back to the classroom, but the disease continued to rob him of this strength and energy.
June 2022:
Not sure how long I would have to be away, I decided to step back from Team Kirkwood Literacy Lab to care for Papa K. Over the next six months, Papa K and I shared some beautiful memories, even flying to Las Vegas to see Silk Sonic at the MGM Grand!! While it was our hope and prayer that Papa K would return to full health, such was not to be.
December 2022:
Papa K passed away peacefully at home on December 16, 2022, my birthday, leaving a HOLE IN TEAM KIRKWOOD.
In Memoriam
Alan P. Kirkwood (Papa K)
June 14, 1949- December 16, 2022
In action, changing lives:
Papa K helps lead students in reenacting a march for equal rights - sharing lessons in good citizenship and being brave on behalf of others
THE LITERACY BEAT GOES ON AND ON…
Papa K’s last words were “You must carry on.” And so be it. I shall start a new season beginning Fall 2023 at Jones Paideia under the leadership of Dr. Tesia Wilson, Principal ES, with Mrs. Joy Pillow-Jones, Mgr. Community Achieves Site. Team Kirkwood Literacy Lab and Better B Bookclub will have a slightly different profile of loyal recruits to help me lift the banner and carry the touch - “Teaching and Educating,” bringing light and hope.
