Five ways to celebrate Sylvia Hermann’s life

5x5 This Sunday, October 16, would have been Sylvia Hermann’s 42nd birthday. But wait, how does that fit into Fun Friday?

Anyone who knew Sylvi would know that she’d want us to celebrate her life not sit in the corner with long faces, but as much I wanted to do that when she died, it was too terrible that she was gone. If it was true for me, it was probably true for friends and family too. Now it’s time to make good on the memorial Sylvi would want for herself.

This is for the girl who would shout “I’m dancing on your grave” when I had one of those weird shivers you get sometimes, and do an arthritic little jig to prove it. For the girl who always stood her round, who supported her friends and never let the grass grow under her feet.

I have come from the future to make you drink

1 Drink gin Or Pimm’s if the sun’s out (but a good Pimm’s also needs gin). And champagne, or a good prosecco (good prosecco > cheap champagne). Or Jack and Diet Coke. Or beer. Or red wine, but white not so much. And do it with friends, over a nice meal.

Sylvi makes a friend at the 6 Music Festival 2015. She was the girlfriend of one of Foals, or the Maccabees. Something indie. That’s not the point. Sylvi could have a chat, make a friend, just like that.

2 Make friends Sylvi could make friends anywhere, with anyone. Maybe it was that smile, maybe it was her humour, maybe it was her built-in nutter magnet. Most of her colleagues seemed to be friends too, and she was almost fearlessly friendly with some scary people. She was also a good judge of character, so if you couldn’t make friends with Sylvi then you must be some kind of arsehole. So make friends with a stranger today, and don’t be afraid.

Travel the world and meet interesting new people

3 Travel Go somewhere new. Go somewhere interesting. Meet people. See the sights. Soak up the culture in bite-sized chunks. Enjoy the sun. Have a drink.

Because it’s there

4 Jump in a pool There was no rhyme or reason to it, but Sylvi loved to jump in a fountain. So do it. Or splash in a puddle. Whatever. Make a mess. Get wet.

I just love this photo

5 Never give up Pay attention. This is the serious bit. Weeks after she died, when I woke up and she wasn’t there again, and I couldn’t think of a reason to get out of bed in the morning, I thought about what Sylvi would do. And the answer was: she’d get on with her life. She’d make the most of it. She’d never, ever, give up. She might take it easy or take it slow sometimes, she might retreat and gather her strength, but no matter how much pain she was in, she didn’t admit defeat and she always kept going.

That’s enough. It’s Friday night. Get to the pub. Happy Birthday baby. This one’s for you. And the next.

And happy birthday Nat and Kalpana xx