Denislav Todorov’s Memorial Assembly

“In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.”

Excerpt from The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran

I wish I could compose a formal informative message about Deni’s Memorial Assembly. A formal informative message would sound like this:

On Oct.28 ACS held a Memorial Assembly to honor the life of our beloved student Denislav Todorov. Deni’s family and friends joined the ACS community for a concert featuring performances by Karina Eneva and Georgi Boyadzhiyski, Kosara Tsoneva, Simona Petrova, Lotus Notes, MIG, the Fountain and the ACS Dance Program. The audience was silenced and moved by the infallibly beautiful presence of all performers. Following the concert in the Auditorium, everyone gathered in front of Ostrander Hall to release tens of red balloons into the air.

However, there was nothing ordinary or formal about yesterday. There was nothing formal about the hundreds of ACS students who had rescheduled all their appointments to attend the event. There was nothing ordinary about the students on stage, who had accepted a much unexpected invitation with very little time to prepare. Finally, there was nothing formal about Deni’s family, who had found the strength to seek consolation from Deni’s classmates and teachers.  

As red balloons filled the sky, students moved closer to each other.  I felt warmth, looking at this crowd of people covering the steps in front of Ostrander, like a love blanket. I lifted my eyes and watched the balloons fly away… red… red… red… Soon I could see nothing but red, and I could feel nothing but lightness. Do you know what the opposite of lightness is? I think it is emptiness. Emptiness makes me feel heavy. Lightness gives me hope and strength.