MAY WE NEVER FORGET THIS ANGEL WHO SPENT SOME TIME HERE ON EARTH WITH US...SMILE IN THE MEMORY OF THE LEGACY SHE BROUGHT WITH HER.
September 1/1997
FIRST - I WISH TO SHARE THE BEST TWO LINKS I'VE FOUND TO DATE - IN MEMORIAM TO PRINCESS DIANA...
NOW FOR MY WORDS
I was only 16 years old when my father called me from my room to see the T.V. coverage of the vivid display of beauty as the Princess of all Princesses followed the long church aisle, wearing her glorious trailing gown, to committ herself to a life that would prove to have a devastating affect on her. I can't believe that was 17 years ago! I was just barely entering early adulthood and she was doing the same...only 3 years my senior. At that stage of my life, I had no comprehension of the social, political and personal dynamics that such a union might entail. Back then, all l knew was that when the princess drove away in her wedding carriage pulled by top bred horses and she waved from behind the tiny window...it all looked unreal and dreamlike...just like it does now...in the way she has died and left the earth so abrubtly.
My father told me she reminded him of me...his adopted daughter. I didn't know what that all meant but I know that I felt honored and esteemed by the remark. Princess Diana therefore inspired a spirit of kindness between the two of us that would often get lost in the years to come. :(
As time passed, Newfoundland was graced with the presence of Lady Di and her Prince - NOT - so - charming. I stood in the crowd, near the St.John's Harbour, in awe of this tall beautiful young woman who even in that early stage of marriage, outshined Charles. He just didn't have that special "something" which so obviously touched people the way the monarchy "should have" been doing in all its years of creation. You could feel the presence of a tender heart and soul. She neared me and I felt so warmed when she took my hand in hers and gave it a good strong squeeze and looked right in my eyes..."Thanks for coming out". How could she seem so sincere and warm to a stranger whom she met for an instant and was probably only one in thousands who had shared the same experience. The only way I believe I could feel such sincerity was because Princess Di was authentic. She really DID care about people. I'm sure almost any woman alive would have felt that this remarkable woman would make a great friend and confidente and it would be easy to see why a woman of such beauty inside and out would struggle with the patriarchal chains of the monarchy.
I walked in to work, casually, yesterday morning to overhear some discussion about Princess Di. I asked what all the commotion was about and someone said "she's dead". Known for liking a good practical joke to get me going in the morning...I thought this was one of those sick ones. I didn't think it was in good taste and my co -workers could see that by the sly look I sent their way. It's true they chimed, though I thought them a bit ridiculous. Suddenly, a customer came around the corner wheeling the morning paper with Diana's pretty face lighting up the cover...atop were the words..."Princess Diana...Dead". I swear it was as if someone punched me in the gut...my breath was lost for a moment. I quickly ran downstairs to gather my thoughts. I was surprised at my own reaction ... I wanted to cry and still do but the tears have just not been able to come.
When I got home and turned on the tele, there it was...in vivid detail, account after account after story after picture of the beautiful princess stopped literally DEAD in her tracks. The reality of the situation hit me and I began to reflect on times in my life that I've lost close friends through death, and to tell the truth...there wasn't much difference with the feeling I was having at that moment. I guess a little bit of me... and as I've learned the past few days...a little bit of everyone!!!...could identify with the struggles of Lady Di. She was a symbol of the female struggle for independence, the expressed passion to break away from patriarchy and the horrible, and even abusive relationships women find themselves in ... in an effort to find love. Prince Charles was a cold egotiscal fish who I'm sure couldn't handle or deliver affection. Consumed with power and wealth, he took Diana as a bride to savour his public image and became resentful when the plan backfired and she became more adored and popular than he. He acted like a spoiled kid, rejecting her because of his own insecurities. Leaving her to fend for herself in a public world that HE BROUGHT HER INTO...when she was a mere child!
There must be some truth to the cliche that only the good die young. Diana was truly good. Decent, loving, compassionate and devoted. She attempted to carve a life for herself and her children despite the rhetoric, abuse and power games that must have haunted her daily. It would appear that she had finally found someone to share her life with that could give her the affection and love she rightly wanted and deserved. So awful to have her time here cut so short...she is at peace now...I'm certain...it is the rest of us that have to stumble along this cold and tireless existance...without her shining and vivid persona to help us with it. We can remember her wit, charm, poise under pressure and courage ... and be inspired. Anything less of her memory...wouldn't be honorable.
I grew up under the strict teachings of the Anglican Faith. We were taught to respect and worship the monarchy, specifically the Queen. She appears in the prayer books and writings of that sect. Quite early I rebelled against the nonsense of its conclusions. It was this rebellion perhaps that I enjoyed mostly about Lady Diana. Some say she sought out the press to meet her own needs at times. I don't believe that. I believe she attempted to control the way the press portrayed her and her world. I'm sure she felt that she might as well do some work on her own terms...as there would be selfish individuals attempt to create a drama of their choosing if she didn't.
I was fascinated with the royal wedding from a purely aesthetic point..even as a young girl. I was fascinated with Diana because of her courage to break free from the confinement she married into. I can proudly declare though...I have never purchased a tabloid, book or any other piece of work that was created to make money off her image. I simply carried her soul in my pocket now and then, when I heard her speak or when I saw her phrases in some of what is labeled the more legitimate newspapers.
Media people are to blame. The DRUNK DRIVER is to blame. The monarchy and specifically PRINCE CHARLES is to blame. We are all to blame. Let's pray our spirit guides carry us to greater wisdoms from these mistakes. I continute to reject the Anglican faith that holds the Queen as one of thier main sources of inspiration. I will instead...continue to worship instead, Princess Diana and all that she stood for.
Sincerely,
TaMarah Maria May
