Remembering Loved Ones
Sylvia Gorski Duarte, District Title III Family Resource Teacher, wrote this month's introductory post.
In our journey through life, we create connections that extend far beyond our earthly existence. The importance of remembering our loved ones after they pass cannot be understated. It transcends cultures and boundaries, demonstrating the universal human desire to honor and cherish those who have left their unique mark on our hearts.
Up until this year, 2023, I had been fortunate enough not to have experienced great loss. Three of my grandparents passed before I was born, so although I felt their absence, their loss was not something I had memories of. I was lucky to have my one grandmother by my side, here in Chicago, through all the milestones until my adulthood. This year, however, has been devastating for my family. In June, we lost the matriarch of my mom’s family. Having four daughters who all took on their spouses’ last names, with my grandmother passing, our last name Świętek was lost too. The complexities of grief are even more convoluted by our immigration story - with families both here and in Poland, grieving has been stretched out - across continents, across many days, and across mixed funeral traditions. Although I cannot easily visit my grandmother’s final resting spot, I will honor her and remember her in my life path, carrying on my Polish heritage and cherished memories in my heart.
Earlier in May, my husband lost his father to lung cancer, an unexpected death that came way too soon and way too fast. My husband was able to spend his last days with him in Paraguay, soaking in my father-in-law’s laughter, grumpy silliness, and his love for his family. We’ll carry on his memory in my husband’s love of fishing and much too large watches for their tiny wrists, shared stories, and through the indigenous language of Guarani that our future children will learn. Although they’ll never meet him, they will know who the honorable man Don Hilario was and will speak his preferred language of Guaraní, carrying on the torch.
Through these two recent passing of loved ones, I was able to observe the way different cultures grieve, honor, and remember loved ones. These multicultural traditions share a common theme: a belief in the importance of preserving the memory of our loved ones. They demonstrate that remembrance is not limited by borders or language or religion. In remembering our loved ones, we celebrate the rich tapestry of our lives, acknowledging the unique ways in which they have impacted us. In my homeland of Poland, All Saints' Day (Wszystkich Świętych) and All Souls' Day (Dzień Zaduszny) are celebrated with reverence and a deep sense of community. These days are marked by the tradition of visiting cemeteries, where families light candles and offer prayers for the souls of the departed. The sight of thousands of flickering candles in the cemetery on top of a hill in my dad’s village is forever engrained in my memory from our trip when I was in 4th grade. This vision of flames illuminating the darkness creates a solemn yet beautiful spectacle, symbolizing the enduring connection between the living and the deceased.
As we participate and learn about many traditions on October 27th at Glen Grove, we are reminded that remembrance is not only a personal duty but also a collective one. By keeping the memories of our loved ones alive, we ensure that their legacies continue to shape our lives and the world in which we live. In doing so, we honor the interconnectedness of all humanity and the enduring power of love. Although my heart will ache for the souls lost, I look forward to sharing with the Glen Grove community and honoring Czesława Świętek and Hilario Duarte.
Have questions? Send us an email!
- Katherine Ellison, Glen Grove Principal
- Aurora Joaquin, Glen Grove Speech-Language Pathologist
- Katelyn Kelleher, Glen Grove Psychologist
- Hedy Helfand, Glen Grove English Langauge Learning Teacher
- Pam Leister, Glen Grove English Langauge Learning Teacher
- Lisa Funke, Glen Grove Learning Resource Center Director
- Marie Chang-Pisano, Glen Grove Reading Intervention Associate
- Sylvia Gorski Duarte, District Title III Family Resource Teacher
- Lindsey Lurie, District Multilingual Instructional Coach
Email: GGCommunityProject@gmail.com