The Queen and Diana

As I sit down to write this is, the concert for Diana is on TV.

Last week I saw The Queen, a Hollywood production that brought Helen Mirren the Oscar. August is the month of 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. The film brought it all back. I am not sure where I was when she died, but I wasn't in India. I do remember the outpouring of grief and the public outrage over her death, at that time.

The film - in very moving manner - presents both sides of the story as the British people experienced it: how the Royal family reacted and how the people reacted. And, in the midst of this, the role of the then recently elected Prime Minister Tony Blair,who takes it upon himself to advise the Queen on how to respond to the death. Helen Mirrren does an excellent job of portraying the Queen. Diana is portrayed in TV and print media clips.

In our discussion after the film we talked about how easy it is judge the royal family and be sympathetic to Diana, especially when during the last two years of her life. However, in retrospect, Diana grew increasingly irresponsible over the years. Granted she was a commoner (but not that common), she chose to move into the royal family. Not everyone can understand how hard it could have been to be a part of the royal family, but given the nature of royalty, it's not that hard.

Prince Charles was no angel, but somehow that didn't give Diana the permission to behave the way she did. Since her death there is increasing evidence of her irresponsible behaviour. Where does one draw the line?

In some ways moving into a family is not easy. In India young women move into homes and families of the men they marry, living in joint families. Sometimes, they move out into a nuclear unit. In most cases, it is a difficult transition. I can imagine what Diana went through. Young and fairly naive (and so much in love!) it must have taken some doing on adjusting to her new life. Diana's case is not different from millions of women who find themselves in relationships that don't work for them. And, making them work, also requires commitment and patience.

In the final analysis, it's a question of choice, and choosing wisely about our lives and loves. While love is great and fairy tale romances ideal, the bubble does burst sometime. Then there is heartache and sorrow, regret, anger, and many other negative emotions.

Diana's 10th death anniversary is a time to remember this, and more.

An Invitation

Come Into My Home

Walk through the gate

into the garden, the verandah

The front door is open and inviting

There are electric and candle lights

Have a seat here, and here

What will you drink?

You want to see the house?

This is the back garden

Thank you for noticing the smell and flowers

You like the size you say? I do too.

Here is the guest room

where you can stay when you come to spend the night

Let us go up the stairs

The family room - leading into the terrace

Let us enjoy the breeze, the sunset to the west

How green it is, you say? It surely is

You like all the artifacts? Thank you for that

Let us sit down and talk

A toast to all of us, as we raise our glasses

The dog is at our feet, tail wagging, wanting to be included

It's dinner time

I light the candles and go into the kitchen

The food is ready, in the serving dishes

Oh dear! The grilled vegetables look somewhat shrivelled

But the chicken and rice looks beautiful

(yellow with saffron and yellow peppers)

The potates in the shrimp are uncooked

The salad is fresh and the dressing tasty

(the mango and kiwi give it the touch)

The pasta with pesto is green and soothing

We sit at the table, give thanks, eat and drink

The talk is good and friendly, a lot of laughs

For desert we move into the sitting area

Rice pudding, cool and white, with almonds

A dish of fruits - cherries, plums and apricots

More talks and laughs

The hour is late

It's time to leave

The moon is high and full

And there is a gentle breeze

Hugs and kisses

Goodby, goodbye, come again

An evening of love, laughter, and togetherness

So much to be thankful for