I had been out in the yard this morning cleaning up branches after a moderately strong storm passed through last night. When I came in for lunch and turned on the news, I saw the headlines and had to pause. We folks in the USA don't do monarchies (despite the aristocratic behavior of some of our politicians) so I should not have had feelings - but I did. I had to pause to reflect on why I felt so sad.
After consideration, I realized that Queen Elizabeth II had been in the news as a voice and an image of continuity as I grew up. She had almost become a fixture, showing up in news articles every so often, and always with a dignified and reassuring manner. I recognized that her presence was steady enough to affect me, and then is when I realized that she was a much stronger, steadying presence for my UK friends across the pond from me. I also knew that I would never feel her loss as strongly as her subjects would. The only feeling that even comes close was the day that John F Kennedy was assassinated. The USA didn't quite shut down, but a lot of places DID close until the funeral. And there, I found a parallel of sorts. A loss of continuity, a loss to a country, a loss of a steadying influence. A loss to us all, each in our own way.
My friends in the UK, I am sorry for your loss. May the coming days offer you hope and healing as your royal family adjusts to its new situation.
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