Esther Williams never got water up her nose, or had to spit when she swam, like Sally, who didn’t like to get her face wet in the first place. And Esther Williams never splashed, either. Not even when she dove off the high board.
You’d never know you had to kick to stay afloat from watching Esther Williams. And when she swam in the movies there was always beautiful music in the background and handsome men standing around, waiting.
It would be great fun to be Esther Williams!
The year was 1980. The book was Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself.
If you were never a girl, you may be unfamiliar with this gem in Judy Blume’s bibliography.
Sally was ten years old, just like me, and SSJFAH taught me many things. Set in 1947, it taught me about the horror of the Holocaust, and the beauty of hibiscus flowers. It showed me the importance of family history and personal stories. It helped me know what it was like to be the new kid, and about how one always eventually finds their people. It was a very significant book for me.
It also drew my attention to someone with whom I would have otherwise never become familiar -Esther Williams – and for that I will always be grateful.
Because back in the day, when I saw how much Sally loved her, I did, too.
And so now my 10-year-old self will mourn her, too.
Goodbye, Esther. You’ll be missed.
August 8, 1921 – June 6, 2013
Erin's Clishmaclaver 