You Still Inspire.......{Princess Diana}

I can hardly believe it's been 15 years since the world heard the shocking news that Princess Diana had died...........Do you remember where you were?  It was August 31st, Labor Day Weekend of 1997, and I will never forget that day.  I was vacationing with my family at Lake Tahoe and struggling to put my own life back together following a heartbreaking divorce.  We heard the announcement on a news bulletin, following dinner out, and watched the story unfold in disbelief. I watched follow-ups from London most of the night, hoping it was a tragic mistake. The tribute flowers piled up at the gates of Kensington Palace for months to come. We watched her funeral, as her grief stricken sons followed her flower-draped casket, and cried..... for their loss and ours. Our beautiful Princess, our recovering Princess finding her own life, had died.

I visited in London for Christmas that December and the memorial bouquets were still being laid at the gates of Kensington Palace for Diana. Somehow the holidays in London had lost some sparkle that year.

Diana's story has always captivated me. Perhaps it is because she was almost exactly my age, born just two weeks before me, in July of 1961. Her wedding of the century was the same summer I became engaged.  I watched through the night, with my mom and sister, enjoying tea and crumpets (just like so many others around the world).  It was the stuff of fairy tales and a happy in life.

Source: Uploaded by user via Heather on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Heather on Pinterest

Diana's fashion certainly had a huge influence with all the ruffles, bows at the neck, and full skirts of the early 1980's.  Her iconic hairstyle was copied around the world.

Diana, Princess of Wales, at the Cannes film festival. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Her son, William, was born on the first day of my honeymoon in  June 1982. She and I were both 20 years old.

Clearly Diana found her greatest joy in being a mom to William and Harry.  As I watched the Royal Wedding of William and Kate, just over a year ago, I couldn't help but feel Diana would have been so proud of William, and his choice of his beautiful new bride, in Kate. I was sorry that she missed out on being part of such a momentous day.....and a finally, a royal wedding about true love.

Watching the younger generation of Royals at the Queen's Jubilee and hosting the Summer Olympics 2012,  I could see the sense of renewed pride and energy  in the Royal Family and in London.  Despite Harry's recent run in with some 'raw' moments in LasVegas I have a feeling his mom would have given him a pretty stern lecture but would have also shared some good understanding for his humanity, combined with thoughtless moments, and how it can all spin out of control with the snap of an iPhone camera.

Harry clearly still has admirable qualities of his mom. The humanitarian efforts of both boys are
a direct link to how they were raised by Diana.

Over the years I had watched Diana's metamorphosis from that painfully shy newlywed bride, through her own difficult marriage as Princess of Wales, some scandalous moments of trying to survive and finding herself, watched by millions.  And finally, evolving into a confident, self-assured woman who was recreating her own life on her terms this time.

 I think she gave me hope during my own difficult times of rebuilding life.......

and I had hoped to watch her continue to evolve.

Diana was finally having some fun!

Her fashion sense showed a renewed confidence and updated body conscious style.

She wore this little black number on the same evening Charles was announcing his longtime affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles on national Television......way to make the best out of a difficult situation Diana!!

I would have enjoyed seeing Diana at this stage of life. We would have both turned 51 last July. I wonder how her style would have evolved, how she have would handled the challenges of the aging process, what she would have worn to William and Kate's wedding......would she ever find true love?

I have learned several lessons from Princess Diana over the years:

1-Marrying at 19 (or 20) is not necessarily a good idea.There is so much living to be done and finding yourself is essential before making such a huge commitment.
2-Doing for those less fortunate makes you happier and more fulfilled in life, even in the worst of times.
3-Play-even if you have to wear your rollerblades and walkman in the palace....dance!
4-A hand written thank you note is a lovely gesture.
5-Wearing a little black dress can always make you feel sexy no matter how rough the evening is-it will help.
6-Getting away on a yacht in the Mediterranean is the perfect distraction from real life.
7-A diamond encrusted tiara can't make your life a fairy tale.....you have to create your real life yourself.
8-True love is worth the wait.

I'm not sure that Diana had yet found true love, but she had found herself........
                                                                               and that is the most important journey. 
                                                                Cheers, Heather

Source: google.com via Heather on Pinterest

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