The past few weeks revolved around preparing for one of the most meaningful events of the summer: Sadako Peace Day. My days were a mix of digitizing the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s photo archives, writing & memorizing my remarks for the speech, “Why I Care About Nuclear Disarmament,” and meeting with Ivana to check in on progress. By the time event day arrived, I felt a blend of anticipation and nerves. The morning was filled with last-minute preparations—running through my speech one final time, picking up the invitations I had designed, and making sure every detail was in place. Robert, one of the NAPF board members, drove us to La Casa de Maria, and the conversation during the ride stayed with me long after.
Once there, we hung paper cranes throughout the trees, set up the camera and signage, and watched as people slowly began to arrive—more than expected, with some even sitting along the stone hedges. The program opened with the delicate and moving sounds of Japanese instrumentation from Bob Sedivy, followed by Kate as the emcee, introducing all the poetry and powerful ceremonies. When it came time for my speech, I thought I spoke a little faster than intended and made a few small errors. Though afterwards, many people told us the program wouldn’t have been the same without our (mine and Valeriya’s) remarks. The evening ended with conversations that introduced me to new perspectives and local events, deepening my connection to Santa Barbara and the community’s work for peace. It was a day I will carry with me for a long time, both for its meaning and the people it brought into my life.