Remembering Diana, Three Years On

This is the day that most of us will reflect on where we were when we first heard the tragic news that Diana, Princess of Wales was dead. I for one was in my living room staring at the television in shock and disbelief. It had then been only a few hours since her death yet there were tributes in Paris at the site of the accident, at Kensington Palace her London residence as well as in New York City at the British Embassy. It was during a report at the Embassy that I saw what took me from disbelief to tears - a single card from a deck of 52 playing cards - the Queen of Hearts.

I remembered the Panorama interview where she admitted she didn't see her self as Queen of England, but would like to be the Queen of people's hearts. I looked for a letter I had written to the Daily Mirror back in July of 1996 in response to a petition they were submitting to the Queens proxy to help Diana retain her HRH. A petition I fully supported. The last line of the letter read, "Even if nothing more comes of it then a bump in the proceedings, I believe Diana will understand that she is exactly what she wishes to be, "the Queen of people's hearts."

The world spent a solid week in mourning for the loss of Diana. Unprecedented crowds the world over lined up to sign the many books of condolence. People built shrines with flowers, candles, teddy bears, poetry, photographs and other objects to express their grief at losing Diana. There were masses said, jewelry designed, records made, video's recorded, round the clock news coverage, dolls, candle holders, plates, stamps, beanie babies, and a plethora of other souvenirs created to aid in our memory of the Queen of Hearts. Tony Blair called her the People's Princess. Nelson Mandela said he was impressed by her. Mother Teresa, President Clinton and other world figures expressed their overwhelming sorrow for our great loss. The world was united for a brief moment over losing Diana, our symbol of human dignity and compassion.

Now it is three years later. The wounds of our loss are not as raw, souvenir sales have waned, and though we still remember where we were when we first heard the news we have little left to remind us of her goodness. Yes, a childrens park in Kensington has been built. Yes, they are looking for a place to erect a statue and yes, donations are still trickling into her fund, but do these things really honor Diana's memory? We need something to keep her in our hearts, as she always kept us in hers. That's what intrigued me about the suggestion that another bank holiday be added in memory of Diana. I think it's a fabulous idea. Instead of having parades and fanfare, let's do what Diana did best - give of ourselves by way of giving to others. Let's honor her memory through the selfless acts of compassion that are so closely associated with her and her memory.

Why not take a day each year, whether the government gives it to us or not, and honor Diana by honoring each other? Let's take a trip to an AID's Hospice and spend some time with people who have little time left. Let's collect items for the homeless or hungry. Let's spend a day working at a soup kitchen or teaching children to value differences. Let's build a fund of community service hours that will exceed the hours she gave us in her lifetime. She was an individual who gave to many. Let us become the many who give to individuals in her honor. I, for one, would be willing to give one day of service in memory of a woman who served us well during her lifetime. Won't you join me by helping to create a truly living memorial to Diana, Queen of Hearts?