THE LIFE MOMENTS OF ESTER BRIGGS

For school we are starting the year for our dreams of the future!! I hope you enjoy it!

[A theater glows with soft light. A screen sits center stage. Family and friends are seated, whispering excitedly.]

TIA: Ooo, I’m excited for this one.

JENNY: I saw the trailer. She’s got some really exciting stories. Looks like she did everything!

BEN: Yeah, she lived completely—held nothing back.

AMY: Sure, sure, but she also had a lot of heartbreak. Do you remember that guy?! He was so bad. When he dies and gets here, I’m gonna beat him up myself.

JENNY: Sure you are, Amy.

BEN: That’s what you said for Rachel too.

TIA: You guys shush—it’s starting.

[A booming voice from offstage:]

ANNOUNCER: Welcome, family members, to The Life of Ester Briggs! She’s watching this too, so keep your reactions appropriate—we wouldn’t want to spoil her big day of death!

AUDIENCE: (cheers and laughs)

ANNOUNCER: HIT IT!

[Music swells: “Never Get Used to This” begins playing in the background.]

[On the screen, a reel starts. ESTER sits in the audience, watching her life play out.]

ESTER (thoughts): There I am on screen in this weird little theater. It starts with my birth—kind of awkward with my mom sitting right next to me.

Now I’m learning how to walk. I never stop smiling.

I’m two years old, trying on tutus and going trick-or-treating in downtown Boston.

Bam—Tanner is born. I get less attention, more responsibility. I always carry around a handbag; I want to be able to take care of myself.

Then Sanford comes. I hold him so gently, taking him around the block in my doll’s stroller.

I start school! I wear my favorite colored skirt with my pigtails.

Heber is born, and I can’t stop squishing his cheeks.

I get baptized into the LDS Church. I remember feeling God’s love swell in me, and it’s a feeling I’ve never stopped striving for.

Then COVID hits and I start Acton. I make cookies for my presentation so people will vote for me.

Then Henry comes and our family is complete.

In the scope of my life, those things that felt so big go by so fast. In a flash my childhood is gone.

Then I’m a teenager. I have a deep desire to do crazy things—to make as many friends as possible, to dance my heart out every weekend.

The audience is laughing.

I’m wakeboarding and—yep—I have my tongue out. That one never changed.

I take an amazing apprenticeship at a big company.

The music slows. I’m lying in the back of a truck with Max beside me. He looks over, tilts my face to his, and kisses me.

Wow, I was really bad at kissing the first time—so awkward.

My apprenticeship turns into a job offer. I accept and learn so much every day.

I’m now struggling to find who I am and my life’s purpose. Many late nights crying myself to sleep. I try everything, trying to find passion, but nothing sticks. It starts weighing me down, and everyone in my life can tell.

I join a band—I’m the singer and electric guitarist. We perform at a mini band contest.

I try every sport I feel like doing.

I perform in a play and have the best time of my life.

AUDIENCE: (some are crying)

I go on a mission. It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be. I learn so much and am so grateful for the feeling of peace God gives me while I serve Him.

I’m in college, majoring in writing and business. I continue my job at therapy for kids. I start dating this really awesome guy.

By the time I finish college I’m advising the CEO, and when she retires I am the one she recommends as new CEO. I accept.

I GET MARRIED—we go to Italy for our honeymoon.

When I get back I reorganize the company to be powerful. I make a Socratic question-based method and encourage people to find their own “why.”

I go to Africa with my brothers. We immerse ourselves in the culture for three months while my assistant runs the company for me, with occasional phone calls for support.

We get back and the United States has changed. Our president is now supporting everyone having a robot in their house at all times.

My husband starts a business while I lock in on improving the company. We rocket up in profit; we’re able to expand our reach. We hold camps and seminars for parents and children. We add in understanding emotions. I am proud of the work I have done.

We have our first child.

I retire to become a mother.

Raising a child is hard. Extremely hard. I’m pushed to my limits and beyond. I reconsider my capability and my confidence. I have to find a way to do all I can for this little being I’m constantly with.

My husband brings me to the best place on earth—Nauvoo. We spend a year there growing our faith as I raise our child. And I write my first book.

Then kid number two comes.

Every other year we take our kids traveling to another country.

Then three.

Then kid number four and five—twins.

I go to Australia and complete my goal of going to all of the continents.

Then all my kids are out of my house, and I have to rediscover what to do with my time and energy.

I decide to travel with all the people I love, so I visit my brothers, cousins, friends from college, and everyone in between until my last days.

The screen cuts to my funeral. Tears well up when I see everyone I love surrounding me, giving their love and sharing the impact I had on them.

My grave is covered in yellow flowers and says: “Here lies Ester Briggs, a strong mother and powerful friend.”

[The screen goes dark. ESTER finds herself alone on stage. A spotlight isolates her.]

ANNOUNCER: I give you ESTER BRIGGS!

AUDIENCE: (standing ovation)

ANNOUNCER: We will now hear from the Judgment Court.

[JESUS steps forward.]

JESUS: Ester, looking back at your life, how do you feel?

ESTER: I feel joyful. Content and happy.

JESUS: I thank you for your belief and faith. I thank you for your kindness in giving your light to others. You passed my judgment with full marks. Congratulations.

HEAVENLY FATHER: You have done very well.

HEAVENLY MOTHER: What are you going to do now?

[ESTER stands tall, facing the audience.]

ESTER (aloud): I will be a protecting angel. I feel I’m ready with the skills and lessons life has taught me.

[Lights fade. Curtain shuts.]