Chloe Hurwitz: Ester under the table
Dear Ester, we are all feeling devastated by your early departure.
It is strange however, that whenever I close my eyes, all I can see is your face smiling warmly and enigmatically back at me. A sort of “Mona Lisa” smile - all knowing. You seem to be saying - don’t cry, don’t be sad, I’ve got a plan… all will be well.
Ester. Dear Ester. You are a shining light that will never fade in our hearts and minds eye. You are as clear as a crystal. As bright as a star.
Although you have gone, it feels like you have scattered your purple and golden glitter dust over all of us. Am I imaging this or is anyone else feeling this warmth radiating from Ester?
As I wrote to Angela:
She was an angel, and we all knew it. We just didn't realise she would be here for such a short time. Perhaps a ‘special appearance’ was all that was required from her on this earth? Just enough time to touch a million hearts, which she did so naturally and effortlessly.
*************
One possible way to be able to tolerate this loss, is to continue to be inspired by Ester and her “tour de force” which remains so omnipresent. In every action we do, we must try harder. If we all attained just an inch of Esters qualities, the world would already by a better place.
Ester’s death was a great sacrifice for humankind. We therefore, owe it to Ester to extend beyond our grief and to endorse her life by being more kind, more compassionate, more patient, more loving, more gentle, more playful, more proactive.
*************
Right now, my thoughts are very much with Angela. I know this Blog is for Ester but you must be mentioned. We know how precious Ester was to you. You were a wonderful mother. You nurtured Ester from birth to womanhood and beyond – with compassion, laughter and love. I have always marveled at how you had the capacity to bring up a beautiful modern, dynamic, deeply devoted daughter such as Ester, and still manage to give out the same level of love and affection to those around you. Ester was part of you and your formidable character, with her own special mix at the end. I know you must be very touched and proud to read all these reflections and memories about Ester and I hope they are of some comfort to you. However, we are all still very mindful that Ester was also simply your daughter, and as her mother, your pain must be unbearable. We hope to give you strength at this time to carry you though.
**********
Ester, of you, only happy memories. I share just one:
Most of the guests are close to being seated for a wonderfully warm Seder chez Angela and Ester. Ester is wearing a head to toe purple gown, and she emanates light as always. After a dip into Angela’s kitchen, I come back to the main room to hear muffled giggling I then realise that my little girl Skye is missing. More giggles but there is no one in the room? I then spot Esters feet, bottom and dress poking out from under the beautifully laid table. It’s a bit of a squeeze, but Ester and Skye are hiding under the table chatting. It was Esters idea, of course.
I remember being so touched by that moment. It seems a small reflection, but to me it says a lot about Esters way of connecting with people big or small. My daughter simply adored her.
***********
In the gentlest way you had monumental power. You were wise, yet you were young. You were beautiful, inside and out. You were grounded and so real. Not your average lost student, finding her way. Not Ester. She was not lost. She knew exactly what she had to do and she did it with incredible grace.
We will miss you and will continue to talk about you to our children and our children’s children.
Rest in peace dear Ester.
Love from Chloe.
Chloe Hurwitz.
It is strange however, that whenever I close my eyes, all I can see is your face smiling warmly and enigmatically back at me. A sort of “Mona Lisa” smile - all knowing. You seem to be saying - don’t cry, don’t be sad, I’ve got a plan… all will be well.
Ester. Dear Ester. You are a shining light that will never fade in our hearts and minds eye. You are as clear as a crystal. As bright as a star.
Although you have gone, it feels like you have scattered your purple and golden glitter dust over all of us. Am I imaging this or is anyone else feeling this warmth radiating from Ester?
As I wrote to Angela:
She was an angel, and we all knew it. We just didn't realise she would be here for such a short time. Perhaps a ‘special appearance’ was all that was required from her on this earth? Just enough time to touch a million hearts, which she did so naturally and effortlessly.
*************
One possible way to be able to tolerate this loss, is to continue to be inspired by Ester and her “tour de force” which remains so omnipresent. In every action we do, we must try harder. If we all attained just an inch of Esters qualities, the world would already by a better place.
Ester’s death was a great sacrifice for humankind. We therefore, owe it to Ester to extend beyond our grief and to endorse her life by being more kind, more compassionate, more patient, more loving, more gentle, more playful, more proactive.
*************
Right now, my thoughts are very much with Angela. I know this Blog is for Ester but you must be mentioned. We know how precious Ester was to you. You were a wonderful mother. You nurtured Ester from birth to womanhood and beyond – with compassion, laughter and love. I have always marveled at how you had the capacity to bring up a beautiful modern, dynamic, deeply devoted daughter such as Ester, and still manage to give out the same level of love and affection to those around you. Ester was part of you and your formidable character, with her own special mix at the end. I know you must be very touched and proud to read all these reflections and memories about Ester and I hope they are of some comfort to you. However, we are all still very mindful that Ester was also simply your daughter, and as her mother, your pain must be unbearable. We hope to give you strength at this time to carry you though.
**********
Ester, of you, only happy memories. I share just one:
Most of the guests are close to being seated for a wonderfully warm Seder chez Angela and Ester. Ester is wearing a head to toe purple gown, and she emanates light as always. After a dip into Angela’s kitchen, I come back to the main room to hear muffled giggling I then realise that my little girl Skye is missing. More giggles but there is no one in the room? I then spot Esters feet, bottom and dress poking out from under the beautifully laid table. It’s a bit of a squeeze, but Ester and Skye are hiding under the table chatting. It was Esters idea, of course.
I remember being so touched by that moment. It seems a small reflection, but to me it says a lot about Esters way of connecting with people big or small. My daughter simply adored her.
***********
In the gentlest way you had monumental power. You were wise, yet you were young. You were beautiful, inside and out. You were grounded and so real. Not your average lost student, finding her way. Not Ester. She was not lost. She knew exactly what she had to do and she did it with incredible grace.
We will miss you and will continue to talk about you to our children and our children’s children.
Rest in peace dear Ester.
Love from Chloe.
Chloe Hurwitz.
posted by Ester memories at 3:00 pm
