Monday, September 19, 2022

GOT A FUNERAL TO OBSERVE


Monday will bring an end to the very sad time many have been going through lately with the loss of Queen Elizabeth.  I want to see this through so I will be watching the service. 

Can't say I am a fan of a monarchy type of government. While not a fan, I have followed the royal family and all their news worthy actions for years. It is impossible to think the royals are not interesting for they definitely are.  But the Queen has always held a special spot in my heart. I just admired her so much. 

I was surprised years ago to learn she did her part in the war effort.   She could have easily and rightfully have chosen safety and comfort but she didn't.  Her staunchness during WWII with her driving trucks when she could have easily fled to Canada to be safe while England was being bombed, is legendary.  

I followed her when she was young, in love and married Philip. No there was no TV in our house in 1947 but there were newsreels in the theater to document such occasions. My family has a strong English heritage so my mother kept us informed via the news. 

Lately, even though I am only 13 years younger than she, she portrayed a motherly image to me. She appeared to be a woman you could  trust that would have your back.  Her flawless skin, white hair and sparkling eyes made you want to share time with her. She just oozed kindness, fairness and courage.  I also loved her quick wit and understated British humor. 

It is sad no longer having that person on the horizon to give us all direction of what a person should be. She was total grace and set the bar high. 

So Monday I'll say goodbye along with the rest of the world.  Just one of the many to miss her. 

42 comments :

  1. Nicely said Patti, she was everything a Queen should be...and more.

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  2. My partner met her twice. Apparently she has a great sense of humour and a real twinkle in her eyes. I'm not a fan of the Royal family at all, but she will be missed.

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    1. Joey,
      Your partner was so lucky. Yes her humor for me was a strong point.

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  3. Yes, there was no one like her and never will we have such a royal in our lives again.

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    1. Djan,
      She was always there wasn't she and always a calming presence.

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  4. I probably won't watch but I, too, admire her. She could have had a live of total ease but she took her title seriously and like you said, she set the bar high for people to do their part in community service and decorum.

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    1. Jean,
      It wa a very long presentation but I'm glad I hung in. She was a once in a lifetime leader.

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  5. It is a new world with the Queen no longer here. My whole life she was the Queen. Now there is a King, and it's hard to imagine. I streamed a bit of the procession and said my silent farewell.

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    1. Robin,
      I know she has always been there. I too said a silent farewell.

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  6. Considerable pom and circumstance to behold. I especially admire the beautiful horses. The Queen was regarded as a kindly grandmother by most of us. Feels strange that she suddenly left after all those years in the public eye. I wonder what will become of all her hats. Auctions for charity? R.I.P. dear lady!

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    1. Florence,
      I too loved the horses and felt a little badly for them having to walk so slowly. I did see one break ranks but for the most part, they were flawless.

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  7. Patti, I agree with everything you've said and you said it well. I think she leaves behind such an honorable legacy. My dad was born and raised in London and although I'm not much into following other people's lives (Hollywood type or Politicians, etc.), I did follow what was going on with Queen Elizabeth throughout her life.
    (The funny thing that our family talks about is how much she looked like DH's mother...)

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    1. Rian,
      I did too and was surprised that I was so interested. She was such a lovely person and it would be hard not to like her. I always saw kindness in the Queen's eyes. DH's mother must have been quite a lovely person.

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  8. Yes, I agree with you 100%. I, too, shall watch the funeral. It was recorded while I was asleep.

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    1. gigi,
      Wish I had recorded it also for I missed the first part but was able to catch the majority of the event.

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  9. Very well-said. I agree with everything you've said. However, I would say that I would prefer and English style monarchy to the theocracy/ dictatorship that some want to see here. QE was a model of grace, decorum and stability in a world sadly lacking in those qualities lately.

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    1. Margaret. You bet. If given only those two choices, I would definitely take the monarchy, especially if ruled by such as the Queen.

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  10. I set the alarm for 3 a.m. to watch the ceremonies. I must admit I dosed off at times but did see all of the two services and much of the long walk to Windsor Castle.
    You've said it beautifully, she was a woman of grace and calm, and she will be missed.

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  11. Eileen,
    Wish I had recorded the early part but saw the majority of it. The pomp and circumstance was flawless. I kept being amazed at how all those marchers stayed in lock step and how quiet the throngs were.

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  12. While I can not understand any of this. I agree that she seemed like a kind woman. Would you be so inclined to do that for a president for 2 weeks and non stop telly? Would you be interested in having this type of thing in America? If not why? I am not trying to be snarky I am so darn curious about this. It boggles me.

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    1. Peg,
      Well our presidents don't stay in office 70 years so it is hard to get that attached. She has been the glue to hold her people together for all that time, through wars, peace and social change. Here is a link that explains it better https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-11195623/ANDREW-NEIL-Queen-glue-bound-United-Kingdom-together.html.

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  13. Queen Elizabeth was a very admirable woman. Her character impressed me in that being born her station in life, it would have been too easy to shallow. Many people impress me with what they are born to do so early in life.

    I would have liked to watch the funeral. However, my household would have gotten depressed with it all. So, I saw snippets. I enjoy pomp and circumstance too. However, I am not a royalist.

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    1. Ann,
      It was a long broadcast but it was interesting. I think the thing that amazed me about her was her interest in others. She was open and inquisitive when she could have been haughty and cold.

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  14. I have watched very little of the proceedings, but she was the very model of what a queen should be. I do think it must have been hard to be a member of her family. It was always country first.

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    1. Linda,
      Think you are right. Her family was constantly in the spotlight. Little went unrecorded.

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  15. She was very much the dignified monarch who always kept her country first despite the family foibles.

    Have you seen this clip about Queen Elizabeth's prank on some American hikers? https://www.nbcnews.com/video/former-security-officer-tells-funny-story-of-queen-s-prank-on-u-s-tourist-148107333998
    I loved seeing what a fun sense of humor she had.

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    1. Thanks for sharing that link. I laughed and laughed.

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  16. Kay,
    Oops, couldn't make the link work but I have heard lots of tales about her quick wit and mischievous nature. That is what made her so special in my book.

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    1. Actually, it's not a link. You have to copy and paste it on your browser as an address. I don't know how to explain it.

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  17. I watched most of the funeral, after being rudely interrupted by a phone call which I should have ignored, and as I watched I wondered why? There were bits that interested me, but for the most part I found it a bit boring, especially the long slow parade parts, I could tell the horses were getting fidgety and wanting to run a bit. The hymns being sung in Westminster abbey were just garbled noise. I think they should have left the singing to the choir. I think I watched mostly because I had liked The Queen so much. I was very sorry for all the soldiers(?) walking along holding the gun butt with one elbow and the other arm behind their backs holding the barrel, for HOURS! I'm guessing there are a lot of painfully sore shoulders today.

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    1. River,
      It did get long with all the walking but here they filled us in on snippets from her life that were informative and often funny.
      Didn't notice how the soldiers held their guns. That does sound painful.

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  18. I have deeply grieved the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. My mother's name was Elizabeth and my first name is Elizabeth. For that reason I believed in my youth that we were related to the Queen. My mother had beautiful speech and she looked to me like the Queen. I watched the entire funeral. I follow the royals. Our country flew flags at half mast. And here we are escaped from the Monarchy.

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  19. Annie,
    Interesting and personal connection you felt towards the queen. I watched most of it too and must say the royals do lead interesting lives. Probably best to view from a distance like we do.

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  20. She was an amazing and hard working woman. I did not follow her a lot but from what I saw, she never tried to take a shortcut in life.

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  21. I think she presented a sense of stability and continuity to Britons and many others through difficult years, including our recent ones and now. She has been a unique monarch the likes of which I doubt will be seen again. I've been aware of what occurs in the commonwealth and that royal family but have not been that invested in the doings in their world though I, too, have significant English heritage. I did end up viewing much of the TV coverage. I've been annoyed with much of the press focus, analysis and speculation on the family dynamics during the period of mourning.

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    1. Joared,
      I know, often the coverage was centered around the sensational parts of the family drama. In my view, not necessary.

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  22. Thank you for sharing these interesting facts about the Queen. I keep hearing more and more admirable stories about her character, thoughtfulness, and caring.

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    1. Judee,
      Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Yes, there was so much about that lady that was admirable.

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