Diana, Princess of Wales, mother of the future King of England is dead at 36.
If this is news to anyone, they are living one of the most reclusive lifestyles in the
world. They do not talk to anyone vaguely informed, nor do they own or operate a radio
or television set.
The sad reality of Diana's seemingly untimely death has permeated global consciousness,
touching all but the most callous of souls with sympathy for her and her young sons. Death
by auto is all too common in these latter days, taking or damaging our best and brightest.
However, this "accident" significantly differed, being the result of unethical hell bent
publicity hounds, most of whom showed no moral restraint during the pursuit of their prey.
In their defense, heartless cynics say that "we" the collective body of humanity, loved
her to death with our continued interest in her fairytale life gone askew. That most of us
identify with her sorrows should not bring us under condemnation. Anyone who has endured
meddlesome or uncaring in-laws or has lived a life of unfulfilled expectations, rejection or
loss saw in Diana a role model. She was a gentle survivor whose stubborn optimism in facing
her challenges only strengthened her sphere of influence.
Princes Diana's positive attitude, despite her own personal problems, her sweet loving
smile and empathetic nature graced all those with whom she made contact. Her humanitarian
work affected millions, best exemplified by her reaching out with gloveless hand to touch
and comfort an AIDS sufferer. So correctly was it observed that the Princess had put the
word "noble" back into the word nobility.
English Royals, except the Queen Mum, have long been losing the affection of their
subjects, having for too long represented little more than cardboard cut out dolls that
pompously appear on balconies to wave gloved hands at the masses below.
Blue-blooded Diana Spencer, a sweet 19-year-old former kindergarten teacher, was the
Windsors perfect pick as someone whom they could mold to fit their picture-perfect family
facade with very little difficulty.
Unwittingly, the unemotional and dysfunctional Windsors had welcomed a most potentially
dangerous iconoclast into the midst of their icy courts . . . the very Queen of Hearts
herself!
After fulfilling national expectations of bringing forth heirs to the throne,
Princess Di unexpectedly launched out toward self-actualization, leaving unfaithful
Charles eating her dust and breaking the stuffy mold of royal aloofness and hypocrisy.
Although her sons will never want financially, Diana's legacy to her young sons is
not one of pomp circumstance and worldly wealth, but a greater heritage of warmth, honesty
and service. Because of her, these young princes will have what few before have had- the
opportunity to experience life as more than emotionally deprived, self-absorbed figureheads.
William and Henry have been wisely nurtured and spiritually empowered to remove the
antiseptic white gloves of royalty, roll up their sleeves and go to work for humanitarian
causes. As their mother thought nothing of comforting a modern day leper suffering from
AIDS, so these young men following in her footsteps will honor her memory by setting their
hands to the work of the Kingdom...the real Kingdom.
I have three fatherless boys, two of whom are twelve and fifteen, the ages of Prince
William and Prince Harry. I have seen the legacy of their father passed to them and have
no fear for their future. These young princes will all find their way through life with
grace and a sense of destiny, due in great part, to the good examples of love that went
before them.
- Laura Martin-Buhler, Editor/Publisher
The Gentle Survivalist
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