A couple weeks ago we were informed by Whitman's teachers that he would take part in a school performance, towards the end of the month. Whitman didn't know any other details, nor was he sure what he would actually be doing.
Tuesday morning I, Erin, attended a PTA type get together at Whitman's school. There was an announcement that some of the children would be performing the next day, Wednesday. Afterwards I verified with a teacher whether those performing included Whitman. She informed me Whitman would perform next month, December. Later that day, I received a phone call from one of Whitman's teachers informing me there was a practice going on and Whitman was to join. So after nursing Evangeline, Whitman and I took off on the motorcycle to find out more.
 |
| Whitman with his instrument at practice |
 |
| practicing positions |
 |
| practicing their instruments |
It is often difficult to know how much of our lack of understanding is due to a language barrier or just culture differences in the way communication happens. What I understood after practice on Tuesday was that Whitman was called in as a replacement or substitute for someone else. I gathered further information about the event from talking to other parents and from the sign hanging on the wall at the event location.
The event was to show case children from a handful of kindergartens from across the city. Whitman was to be at school by 7am and then be taken to the performance location at the Mayor's office. We decided I would accompany him as there wasn't any information as to how he would be taken with the other students to the Mayor's office. I helped Whitman get dressed in a traditional outfit, then at 8am we left on our motorcycle.
 |
| Whitman was pictured on the large banners at the event. |
 |
| Whitman dressed and ready. |
 |
| In his school yard. |
 |
| Many pictures were taken and the kids waited and waited. |
 |
| Schoolmates |
 |
| Speeches were given as the children sat. |
 |
| Whitman playing music at the end of the event. |
The event finally got started a little after 9am, at which point I had to leave to nurse Evangeline. I would have just brought her along but we have decided she is too small to ride the motorcycle as she doesn't have a helmet yet. On my way back to the event, I picked Caedmon up from school. When we arrived the performances had concluded and the closing speeches were being made. Thankfully we did get to see Whitman play his instrument at the very end while the Mayor walked around greeting children from the various schools.
