Sitting drinking my morning coffee, I was
remembering the strengths and weaknesses of someone dear to me who had passed
recently. I then started to think of
what I have brought to the table of life to this point, and I don’t mean money. Money is easily spent (especially in my case
he he) but I mean qualities of love, of caring, of nurturing, of setting
examples of compassion and understanding of others needs. And, strangely enough being open to show my
weaknesses, and my attempts to improve myself so those around me may learn and
be encouraged to share themselves at the banquet table of life.
Those who know me, will know that music is of
great comfort to me and, as I scrolled my way through You Tube I came upon the
2007 concert for Princess of Wales that the two Princes were instrumental in
organizing.
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As the opening song is sung, I think of how in
awe I am of her strengths, but also feel I am indebted to her for her
weaknesses. Because, through both
weakness and strength we the Princess's people have learned many lessons. Lessons that encourage us to look beyond
ourselves and realise that we are not alone.
Her charities for the care of children,
have brought us to think of the children, and families, that are suffering and to give
them hope, and encouragement, in their
times of crisis. She worked for the homeless and showed us that we need to
think and help those less fortunate than ourselves. With her patronage to the landmines, I
believe she was instrumental in the establishment of the Ottawa Treaty. Her work for disabled people has showcased
our need to support, and encourage, those that in a bygone era would have been
institutionalized.
Her work and support of those with HIV/AIDS
helped to expel the thoughts of mindless people believing that HIV was merely a
gay plague. She showed the world that
indeed this disease was one that infected and affected men, women and children
and not just a minority.
As for her weaknesses, they enlightened us that
her/their very public divorce was not one that was simply swept under the
carpet. It showed isolation. It showed
humiliation. It showed children of divorce and how it affects all who are
concerned. It showed the church's
involvement. It showed the perception of others on
those who become divorced and, sadly, that all divorces bring out allegiances
to either party involved that become hurtful and, the very structure of family
changes forever despite where, or what, family we come from.
Her publicized, and probably quite often
exaggerated, outbursts in regard to her ex-family and his choices, opened our
minds to the fact that depression is not just for the common man or woman. Depression is real and can happen to anyone, anywhere, from cradle to the tomb. It showed that it happens in every walk
of life and that this disease is not to be frowned upon. We must encourage people
suffering to seek help and, those that see it in others should offer support, and
let them know they are not alone with their sickness.
The fashion industry gained momentum in her life
but, it also showed that with glamour there can also be pain. Since her passing, we have seen the awareness
that bulimia and anorexia has had on men and women and even children. In this too, she has lead us to open our hearts,
our eyes, and our minds as well.
As the closing credits of this tribute to a
beautiful, strong, yet sometimes fragile lady roll down my screen, I thank her for sending to not only me, but to many who have seen her
rise and pass us by to a better place, messages of hope of inspiration, and awareness,
for our fellow man/woman and child.
Our footprints to life’s banquet table may not be as
pronounced as hers but, it gives us encouragement to leave something to those
we finally leave behind. Something that
is enough to etch a lesson of life, that may kindle a fire in others, and indeed
leave a memory that our life was not in vain.
Princess Diana, your life may have become a
flicker to some maybe, but if we think beyond and what we have learned from
your life here among us, we may join all our flickers and become a beacon to the
world.
Peace and love to all.
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