I was skimming the news on msn.com and saw a headline about the queen needing somebody with her full time due to her health. Later on in the morning, my buddy texted me that she had passed.
It amazes me that some can't just show there respect for the passing of the queen without chiming in with their personal beliefs about the English monarchy. Here's to the queen and a life well lead!
My original post was a sign of respect for the person, my statement that I am not a fan of the monarchy was to separate the "Person" from the "Title"; there is nothing disrespectful about that, in fact one could argue it is more respectful, as I respect the "Person" for who she was, and not for her "Title".
My original post was a sign of respect for the person, my statement that I am not a fan of the monarchy was to separate the "Person" from the "Title"; there is nothing disrespectful about that, in fact one could argue it is more respectful, as I respect the "Person" for who she was, and not for her "Title".
Just read a neat story told by her bodyguard. They were out for a walk after a picnic near her home in Scotland when they met an American couple, tourists on a hike. While exchanging pleasantries the couple told where they were from and where they had been recently and, not recognizing her, asked the queen where she lived. She said she lived in London but had a vacation home nearby and had been visiting the area for some 80 years. The young man asked her if she had ever encountered the queen. She said she had not but that Dick, her bodyguard, ran into the queen quite regularly. Dick was asked what the queen is like and he told them she has a great sense of humor but could be quite cantankerous. With that knowledge the young man handed the queen his camera and asked if she would take a photo of himself and Dick. After doing so the queen gave the camera to her bodyguard and had him take a picture of the couple with her. After they all parted she turned to her bodyguard and said she would love to be the fly on the wall when those two tourists show those pictures to friends back home and someone recognizes who they are standing with in their photo.
Took these back when I was 11, summer of 1982. This was at the Moredun Research Institute in Scotland. My mother is top left, in dark blue with the dark blue Hat. Clearly Mama was the most beautiful lady in all of Scotland at the time, by far. And then there was the Queen, too. I remember Mama made us wear a coat and tie. I took these with the instamatic, 4 bulb flash ready in case of low light, 110 roll of film. She seemed like the most level headed of the British Royals, by far.
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Took these back when I was 11, summer of 1982. This was at the Moredun Research Institute in Scotland. My mother is top left, in dark blue with the dark blue Hat. Clearly Mama was the most beautiful lady in all of Scotland at the time, by far. And then there was the Queen, too. I remember Mama made us wear a coat and tie. I took these with the instamatic, 4 bulb flash ready in case of low light, 110 roll of film. She seemed like the most level headed of the British Royals, by far.
As a Canadian, Queen Elizabeth was a steadfast example of kindness, service, respect, and optimism for my whole life (70 years, so far). Christmas was not complete without watching her lovely Christmas Message. Very occasionally, she would also give a public address at other times of the year, like the 75th anniversary of VE Day, in May of 2020. The COVID lockdown prevented Britain's aging vets and citizens from gathering in person. It was a wonderful speech, supporting both vets and the rest of us. Here's part of it:
"Today it may seem hard that we cannot mark this special anniversary as we would wish. Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps. But our streets are not empty; they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other. And when I look at our country today, and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire."
I speak to you today at the same hour as my father did, exactly 75 years ago. His message then was a salute to the men and women at home and abroad who had...
www.royal.uk
She lead not by command, but by example, even from a very young age. When English children were sent north to protect them from the German bombs in WWII, she was still a child herself when she gave a radio address to those children, so they wouldn't feel so bad at being away from their families and friends for 6 years.
The UK is lucky to have had Queen Elizabeth for so long. I can't help but think that every country could benefit from having a leader like her, being separate from political governments, to serve as a calm example of respect, kindness, optimism, and community, especially in these times of division, disrespect, dishonesty, fear, and selfishness.
www.royal.uk
