Ten years ago today, I woke up, got ready, and headed out to work. You know, pretty typical day. I got there and a co-worker who knew me pretty well runs up and hysterically asks, "Are you okay?" I'll be honest, I had no idea why this girl was freaking out and so worried about me. So, I answer and ask why she's so worried, you know, that which seems so normal. The words that came out of her shocked me so badly, and I can remember that moment so clearly it's like it happened yesterday. She said, "Princess Diana is dead." She knew that I am a huge fan of the Royal Family, and of Princess Diana in particular (though I'll confess that when I was a young girl, I was convinced that I would meet and marry Prince Andrew. No idea how that would have ever happened, but I was certain that it would). Today marks the tenth anniversary of her death, and though the pain isn't fresh, it still makes me stop and think. I know that there are still some people out there who believe that there was some sort of conspiracy surrounding her death, but I'm not one of them. Oh sure, I totally understand why someone would want to believe that. I mean, here's this cultural icon, someone who seems so full of life (larger than life in some cases), and suddenly she's gone. I didn't want to believe that someone who had such a profound effect on my life could be taken in such a preventable and all too common occurance as being a victim of a drunk driver. But, that is what happened.
Diana, Princess of Wales, taught me many things. To be empathetic. To try and reach out to those who everyone else seems to have forgotten. That it was okay to have problems and feel lost sometimes. So today, of all days, I think a proper tribute to her would be to perform at least one act of random kindness. Granted, I think that this is something that we should strive to do every day, but for me, the lessons that she taught me, most of which are too indefinable to put into words, today is the perfect day to try even harder. R.I.P. Diana, and know that you are truly missed.
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