Diana: A Living Memorial

As you may remember, Geraldine and I met in Boston over Saint Patrick's Day weekend. At that time I mentioned that we had a few things up our sleeves, the first being 'Speakers Corner' which, thanks to all of you, has become a great place to share and air views about the Windsor's. The second thing we discussed was creating a space as a living memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales. In my vision, it is a place where we can post what we are doing to keep the memory of Diana alive by continuing her work for humankind. A place that I hope will become an inspiration to all who venture in for a peak.

First I must admit the living memorial is not an idea of my own. I also read quite a bit about Jacqueline Kennedy and of her quest to create a dignified, fitting and meaningful legacy for her husband, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, whom the world also lost in the prime of his life. It is said that Mrs. Kennedy was the one who named his presidency "Camelot" and it was Mrs. Kennedy who came up with the idea of the "Profiles in Courage Awards" to honor those who take the high road in politics even though it is often to their own personal detriment. For example, this year former president Gerald R. Ford was honored for his pardoning of former president Richard M. Nixon. Mr. Ford was advised not to pardon him as it might cost him the next election. It did. He was not re-elected, but he did help the country to heal which was what he'd hoped to accomplish by his actions. He put the good of the people above his own personal good. Something I believe Diana did.

Diana was not a political figure. She was a humanitarian. Though a woman of means who would never have had to work a day in her life, she tirelessly devoted herself to the service of others. In the video tribute that Sir Richard Attenborough narrated for Hallmark, "Diana Queen of Hearts", Lucia Flech de Lima, Diana's close confidante and good friend, said that a long time ago people believed that royalty had a healing power. She said that Diana had this power, that wherever she went she brought hope to people. Hope is a potent medicine. Hope is something that we all have the power to give to others in some capacity.
Diana proved she was a kind, compassionate human being who went out of her way to ease the suffering of others. Whether she was having tea with a nursing home resident, conversing with patients at and AIDS Hospice, or touring land mines in order to bring attention to a grievous subject, Diana's concern for all who suffered was honest and genuine. As her brother, Charles, said in the eulogy of her funeral mass she possessed a particular brand of magic. We all saw it. In her years in the public eye through her happy, if tentative, start in the early eighties, through her devastation over the breakdown of her marriage, this purity of heart for humankind never waned. That is what I miss most about Diana - the selfless acts of kindness. I miss the opportunity to witness a woman who has it all showing concern for those who aren't as fortunate.

Though many books have been written about - and continue to be written about - Diana to me the best source of insight into what made her tick is her own words. "I am deeply embarrassed when people put me on a pedestal. It is just ridiculous." (I wonder if Sophie Rhys-Jones recalls that one.) When I read this I'm reminded that as beautiful as Diana was, she wasn't all about glamour. She was concerned with the plight of others and she worked tirelessly to help better it. Her openness is credited with breaking down the barriers of the AIDS stigma. Her determination to be there for others in need helped shed light on the plight of land mines and their victims. She wasn't afraid to use her position and her high profile to raise awareness.

Many of Diana's efforts to comfort people were not known until her death. The people she had visited in hospital, the letters she had written to victims to inspire and console them and the number of homeless youth that she helped get into programs under the paparazzi radar screen was amazing. This is further proof of her determination to do good. Upon receiving the Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1995 she said, "Everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something back if only they had the chance." It is this quote that leads me to believe that greatest way for us to honor Diana, Princess of Wales, Queen of Hearts, is to give something back. I hope you'll join me.

Born July 1, 1961 Diana would have turned 40 this year. Please help honor her memory and her legacy of good works by joining in this tribute. Plan to do something for others this year in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales. It could be something as simple as visiting a shut-in in your neighborhood to a really huge undertaking such as planning a fundraiser for your favorite charity. It could be the gift of your time to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, Soccer Tournaments or volunteering at your local library or hospital. You could give your blood during a Red Cross Drive, join in on a neighborhood clean up, or donate some blankets to an animal shelter.

You could set a goal for yourself to add a positive trait such as praising your child or spouse each day. You could volunteer to help others help themselves through programs such as Habitat for Humanity. You could help raise money to build a schoolhouse in a developing country for Building with Books - www.buildingwithbooks.org - one of my favorite community service organizations. You could sign up for a parenting class, make an effort to learn a second language, become a pen pal, save all your loose change, convert it to bills and donate it to a food bank. You could do something outside of your comfort zone such as bringing an extra cup of coffee out of Starbuck's in the morning and giving it to a homeless person you passed in the parking lot. There are a million things that can be done to promote love and respect among all people.

Please write me with your pledges in Diana's name. If it is something that you can do on July 1st, that would be even more awesome! The goal here is see if we can bank a million community service hours in honor of the Diana. Together I know we can do it! As always, the amazing and talented Geraldine will set up a place on the site to post this body of pledges for all to view in time for Diana's birthday. I'll be sure to feature some of the pledges received along the way in the Speakers Corner for inspiration. Looking forward to hearing from you. Have a great week!

All the best,