Miriam Marks: life and laughter

For some time I have been thinking of how I want to write this message. How it is that I could describe Ester and my memories of her. How it is that Ester should be remembered. Again and again my mind has sifted through memories: memories that seem all too short and too few. Eventually one moment with Ester came to me more times than any other. I believe it describes her the way she should be remembered. Here it is.

Ester is aged about six years and she is dancing around my parents’ garden. She is singing her favourite song: Kylie Minogue’s ‘Locomotion’. She knows ever word, can recall every line and has perfected an entire routine to complete her act. Her voice is full of life and laughter. She wants me to sing too and is teaching me every line so that I might join her. I am not a good student and I keep expecting Ester to tire of me and give up. Ester will not finish until we are both singing along to the following words.

Everybody's doin' a brand new dance now

(C'mon baby do the loco-motion)

I know you'll get to like it

If you give it a chance now

(C'mon baby do the loco-motion)

My little baby sister can do it with ease

It's easier than learning your a b c's

So come on, come on,

Do the loco-motion with me

You gotta swing your hips now

Come on baby, jump up, hmmm jump back

Oh well I think you got the knack

Now that you can do it

Let's make a chain now

(C'mon baby do the loco-motion)

Chug-a chug-a motion like a railway train now

(C'mon baby do the loco-motion)

Do it nice and easy now don't lose control

A little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul

So come on, come on,

Do the loco-motion with me

You gotta swing your hips now

Come on, come on,

Do the loco-motion with me

Yeah

Move around the floor in a loco-motion

(C'mon baby do the loco-motion)

Do it holding hands if you got the notion

(C'mon baby do the loco-motion)

There's never been a dance that's so easy to do

It even makes you happy

When you're feeling blue

So come on come on do the loco-motion with me

You gotta swing your hips now

Come on, come on,

Do the loco-motion with me

Yeah

Come on, come on,

Do the loco-motion with me

I sing along to the song; after not having heard it for all these years. It now has a slightly different meaning in my heart.

Ester you are missed terribly.

Your old friend,
Miriam