Dear Rosie
Today I heard the news about what people have been
speculating for months. You were murdered. I fear that this is how people will
remember you. That the press and the public will dissect your last moments
under the media’s magnifying glass. I don’t want to know the details. I don’t
want to put in my insensitive two cents of speculation. Too many people are remembered this way. They
are remembered for their last moments instead of their lives.
So I’m writing this to you so I will remember you as you
were in life – tiny in stature but full of fire. Our paths only crossed twice
but in that short time, you made a massive impact. The first time we met, we
did a gig together at an end of year function. The theme was Alice in
Wonderland – I was The Queen of Hearts and you were the Mad Hatter. We met as
we were putting on our make up before going to interact with the guests. We
were surrounded by models and I was hoping there would be someone I could talk
to. Someone that had beauty that was more than skin deep. We chatted a little
bit about the gig. It was the end of the year and the festive season madness
had already begun. You seemed angry and untrusting of me. We didn’t talk much
again that day but while we were with the guests, you kept coming up to me and
interacting with me as your character. You took your role seriously, stayed in
character the whole time (as did I as you can see by the photo below) and I
appreciated that.
The Queen of Hearts glares at The Mad Hatter
The next time I saw you would be the last. We were doing a
Halloween Rocky Horror Show themed gig. I was playing the role of Columbia and
had been asked to choreograph a Flash Mob Time Warp. You were part of the Flash
Mob and were also doing Fire Dancing. It was a very chaotic day –too many
people were trying to take charge and I was getting more and more frustrated trying
to lead the group. I’m not the kind of person who usually shows my anger but
the tolls of sleep deprivation overtook me and I stormed off to be on my own. I
felt stupid and embarrassed that I couldn’t handle the group dynamic and
irritated that I had put so much work in, only to be disrespected. Suddenly out of nowhere, you ran up to me and
kissed me on the cheek. I’ve never been one to show my affection easily through
touch – I use words to show people I care. The fact that you didn’t even know
me that well but still reached out to me with such compassion made me feel so
much better. Everything changed after that, I went back to the group and got
ready for the gig to start. The rest of the night we performed in different
parts of the club. You did your fire dancing but slipped and fell on the
gasoline in front of the audience. I didn’t see the moment you fell, but you
came up to me afterwards all embarrassed and I tried to take your mind off
things. I then had to do my performance and we danced a little bit later in the
evening after the flash mob.
Our paths crossed for just a moment in time but your
kindness affected me deeply. I hope that your family and friends and anyone who
crossed your path also had the privilege of seeing this side of you. I will
remember you always. Thank you for leaving me with such a beautiful memory –
you will be missed.
*This piece was published in The Sunday Times, South Africa on October 6th 2013.
*This piece was published in The Sunday Times, South Africa on October 6th 2013.
