Remembering Ten Years Ago Today...
I didn't know what to do tonight. Stay up or go to bed. Considering I have my own little way of remembering Diana, Princess of Wales every year for the past ten years, I decided I might as well stay up. I can hit my bed after the Memorial Service coverage is over.
But I'll talk about that later. Right now, I'm sure everyone is remembering where they were ten years ago when they heard the news. We all remember those images. However, it's not August 31st, 1997 I want to talk about. It's October 24th, 1991.
I was in the middle of the first semester of Grade Thirteen. I had graduated Grade Twelve the year before, but in hoping to go on to University, I had returned to go for my OAC/Grade Thirteen. Little did I realize I would not finish the year, but instead end up starting Kidney Dialysis that coming February. There was something else I didn't realize would be happening either.
In June of that year, it was announced Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Wales would be coming to Canada for a visit of Ontario in October. However, the really big news in that announcement was that Sudbury was on their Schedule. Not just any stop either. This visit to my hometown would also be the Official Welcome to the Prince and Princess to both Canada and Ontario!!
I have been interested in Royalty and The Monarchy since I was old enough to understand what our neighbour and good friend of my parents told me when she looked after me. Lily and Ernie had emigrated from Britain to Canada in the 60's and what I had thought were these wonderful tales of Kings and Queens, were actually my first lessons in Royal History. It sparked a passion for Royal History I still have to this day. Especially for the Tudors, as it was that era that was Lily's favourite and it has also become mine.
When you combine that w/The Royal Wedding of the Century in July of 1981 when a Lady because a Princess you now understand just how excited that particular announcement was to me. Like many, I had admired the Princess and followed along in the media. It was more than that though.
One of Diana's chief causes was to give Disabled people a voice and to show them there was someone out there that truly did care for them. I am a Disabled Person. I am legally blind thanks to the eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa and do use a white cane when out in public. Her treating other like me as normal human beings the way Diana did, plus the incredable work she did for AIDS Awareness...I so respected her and what she brought to the role of Princess of Wales. I knew this would be the chance of a lifetime of seeing the Princess live and right in front of me, but also knew the closest I'd get to her would be either far away behind a rope line or a fleeting glimpse as the car drove past. Such as w/Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Sudbury in 1984.
Thank God for Moms, because mine was determined I was going to see Diana. Little did she even know...
Knowing how much bright sunlight affects my eyes thanks to the RP, Mom decided her best bet would be to call Science North. At least she could ask where I could be outside and if she was told there was that nothing that could be done on the science centre's end, then at least she tried and I'd just have to accept that. So when she eventually ended up speaking w/the Head of the Committee setting up things for the Reception and Tour of Science North, and she was asked by this lady, "I think we can work something out for your daughter Ma'am. Would you prefer her to be outside or inside?"
Mom told me later she was so shocked by that, it took a couple of seconds for her to recover and tell the lady, "INSIDE!! Of course, inside would be wonderful." All that was needed was the information for the security background checks for both me and the person who would be my guide and then everything would be set. Mom went the next day to pick up the invitations and then she just had to wait for me to come home.
How in the name of everything holy and sacred she managed to not tell me, I still have no idea, but she didn't. However, the setup couldn't have been more perfect. Even if Hollywood has written it, it couldn't have been more perfect.
That day at school for me was not the greatest in the world. I'd had a fight w/a friend, one w/a teacher, then the news came down the principal was making all the teachers schedule any and all tests for the day of the Royal Visit. Yes, he was a (fill in blank w/favourite descriptive word here) little man. BTW, we were the only school in the entire Sudbury Board that happened at. Anyway...Then, I'd found out I'd failed a History test. On European Royal History at that!! So, yeah. Not a great day.
I remember storming into the house, slamming my books down on the table and launching into this dramatic sob story of what a horrible day it had been and I, unknowingly, capped it off w/, "There is nothing that make this day any better. Nothing!!" Mom started snickering, then said, "Oh, I think there is." To which I replied, "No, there isn't. You don't under..."
That's when she placed the invitation in my hands and I became very grateful the chair was directly behind me. :oD I think I read it three times before I realized it was real. "You have been invited to the Reception for Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Wales..." I pinched myself a couple of times to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Then I gave Mom one of the biggest and hardest hugs I've ever given her.
Then came the question of what do I wear and which lucky parent would end up going w/me. To this day, my parents regret turning down the other invite. At the time, we were in the process of building this house. Their retirement home. They were in the middle of doing the drywalling and wanted to take advantage of the weekend to get as much done as possible. As disappointed as I was, I understood. Plus, they aren't into the Royals as much as I am, so they thought someone that was should go w/me. Which was a logical and fair decision and I understood, but I still wish after all she did to get me into Science North, Mom had been w/me. And now...Hindsight really is not a great thing at times.
It was decided another neighbour of ours, since by then Lily and Ernie had moved away, would go w/me. To say Gail was thrilled is an understatement. After that, figuring out what to wear was the easy thing. It also brings us to my only real regret of that day.
I was, at the time, a Ranger in the Senior Branches of Guides Canada. So, you would think I'd want to wear my uniform that day, right? It never even crossed my mind I'm sad to say. What I did wear was nice and looked great on me, but I really wish I had thought of my uniform. As regrets go though, that isn't really that bad of a one.
Finally, the day came.
I will never, ever, forget the moment the little Shuttle Bus that took us from the parking lot of Lily Creek Athletic Field to Science North turned down the curve of Science North's driveway and I saw the entrance area to the science centre that day. Both the Maple Leaf and the Union Jack were flying on alternate flag poles leading from the end of the curve to the front doors. The only time I have ever seen military looking the way they did that day, is in my books of the processions in London for major Royal events. They were completely decked out in Full Ceremonial Dress. When you combine the shine coming off of their metal Ceremonial helmets, the plumes on the top of their helmets flying, the flags flying and the trees at the high of their Fall colour and...It truly was an unforgettable sight.
We had to arrive a full hour and a half before the Royal Party arrived. Both for everyone to arrive, but also for the security to do what they needed to do before Charles and Diana arrived. As Mother Nature does on occasion though, she decided to change the weather. It had been overcast, but clear. That changed to rainy and, at the Airport, foggy. That pushed back the schedule another forty minutes to an hour. So we had a fair amount of time to kill. I hadn't been in Science North for a few years, so I didn't mind walking around here and there while waiting for the Prince and Princess to arrive.
Gail and I had decided to wait on, what was at the time, the main animal floor. It also had a mini theatre in the round where experiment type shows were held and probally still are. The reason why we picked that floor was because we had learned that Charles and Diana would be "adopting" one of the baby beavers that were being raised there until they would be old enough to be released to the wild. Thought it was a safe bet they'd spend a fair amount of time in that area. That it certainly was...
As I said, we did have a fair amount of time to kill. We walked around, chatted w/other guests and members of the staff. At one point, a team from the K-9 Unit was standing beside me while I sat for a break from standing. I wasn't sure if the Officer Handler would talk to me, but thought I'd chance it anyway. Turned out not only was he allowed to chat, but he also answered my questions about what his dog could do. Not only was he a bomb sniffer dog, but also Search and Rescue, Drug Control, as well as many other things. He told me the one call they are trained to answer and respond that he hates is when they have to go in search of a body in a burnt building. As he said, when it's Search and Rescue, there's at least hope. W/the other call, there's no hope at all. His partner was one of the most gorgeous German Shepherds I've ever seen.
We chatted for about ten to fifteen minutes, then I needed a washroom. Thankfully, there wasn't a sign yet of the Royal Party's plane on the tarmac of Sudbury Airport on the feed they were showing of the coverage on our local station, so I knew I wouldn't miss anything really important w/a trip to the washroom. I still laugh though from overhearing one of the younger Staff Members talking about how to address the Prince or Princess. "Is it Your Royal Dude or Dudette or is it Your Royal Highness Dude or Dudette?" He was kidding of course, but it was a good laugh nonetheless. :oD
I was over beside Rolf the porcupine's area in the animal exhibit when I heard the excitement level go up a notch. When I turned around, I saw on the TV screen a plane rolling down the runway w/the co pilot holding outside of the window a small version of Their Royal Highnesses' Standard. They were finally on the ground and in Sudbury!! It was still a twenty to thirty minute trip from the airport to Science North, but they were actually in Sudbury. I was actually in the same city as Princess Diana. It was hard to believe, but it really was true!!
We watched the arrival to Science North and the Official Welcoming Ceremony on the TV's. Of course, I realized that a 21 gun salute would be taking place. I do know what the protocol for occasions like these are. However, I thought it would be the Sudbury Regional Police's Guard of Honour doing it w/their rifles. Science North is on the shore of Lake Ramsey in Sudbury. In fact, it takes up the space of what you could call the middle of this little bay. Right across from it, is the Sudbury Yacht Club. It was there the men of the Irish Regiment of Canada had set up the big, and I do mean *big*, guns from the Armoury in Sault Ste Marie for the Salute.
When that first shot went off, everyone jumped at least ten inches off the ground...LOL!! We were all looking around trying to figure out what was going on. Gradually, we all realized what it was and we all laughed over our reactions. Natural reactions, but... :o)
At last. The Ceremonies were finished and they were coming into Science North.
Now, I had been told that they would be going up to the floor above us, then coming down this set of stairs right beside the little mini theatre to our floor. So that's where I was standing. Along w/a girl of about nine or ten. While we waited, the then Mayor of Sudbury, Peter Wong came over to chat w/us and he asked me how much I could see and not to worry. He would make certain I would get a very good look at the Princess. He kept his word that early afternoon and then some.
He had walked away, but about three or four minutes later he came running full out back to me. Now that is a sight I will be seeing until my dying day. There's the Mayor of Sudbury in this gorgeous three piece suit, his Chain of Office around his shoulders and he's running w/his arms out towards me. I couldn't figure out what was going on, but when he stopped just long enough to grab my hand, he said "Come w/me right now!!" As he's taking me away from my "spot", he said, "They told you the wrong thing. They're not coming down the stairs, they're coming down the ramp."
He got me over to the entry way from the ramp to the exhibit floor so fast, that as we're passing by Bob Rae, the then Premier of Ontario, I heard him saying to someone, "Your Royal Highness, allow me to present..." I look back and I see black hair and big ears. There was the back of Prince Charles. So I obviously thought, "If he's there, then she's..." By the time that thought made it's way through my brain, His Honour placed me beside a man in a wheelchair and told me not to move. At that point, I could see blond hair when I looked towards the ramp. Diana was going to be walking right past me. And then...
She got up the ramp and on the floor and in the matter of just a couple of seconds, me and the gentleman in the wheelchair were blocked by this crowd who moved in front of us. I couldn't believe it!! That's when something magical happened. Diana looked at them and smiled. Then she said to them, "Excuse me please?" She walked right past them and right to us. She came and talked to us first!!
I still can't believe that happened, you know? The lady I so admired and she was right in front of me!! I wasn't just going to get a good look at her. I was actually going to talk to her. It's at that moment I clearly remember thinking what a wonderful dream it was and I didn't want to wake up.
Now, as I said earlier, I am visually impaired and need the use of a white cane. I had written an essay on what it was like as a Visually Impaired/Legally Blind Teenager and how I coped in High School. That essay ended up being published in a National Magazine for the Visually Impaired/Blind here in Canada. I wrote a letter explaining the essay and put it and a copy of the essay in an envelope addressed to the Princess in the hope I could somehow get it to her. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to actually give it to her, but I really was getting that chance.
At that time, I was waiting on major knee surgery and had a pretty big brace on my left knee. I swore once I heard about the Visit to Sudbury, that if I met her, I would curtsey to her. I didn't have to, since I wasn't being formally presented to her by anyone, but because I had such enomous respect for the Princess I was going to give her one. If anyone had peeked into our kitchen window that morning, they would have thought I had officially lost it. All I was doing was practicing my bob and putting my weight on my right and *good* knee.
So what ended up happening? I remember her turning to me after talking to the gentleman in the wheelchair, Diana extending her hand to me and what do I do? You guessed it, put my weight on my *left* knee as I performed my curtsey to Her Royal Highness. How I didn't end up on the floor of the exhibit area, I have no idea, but I remember praying, "Dear God please don't let me fall...Dear God please don't let me fall....Dear God please don't me fall..." :oD
I said to her, "It's an honour to meet you Your Royal Highness." and extended the letter and essay to her. Diana asked, "Oh!! Is this for me?" I told her yes and then, "Welcome to Sudbury." She replied, "It's a pleasure to be here." By then Bob Rae had come over and told me, "Thank you." and had to move her along to meet the other people who had been waiting.
I can say w/all honesty, no picture ever did that lady justice. She was so very beautiful, but it was matched by the light that just radiated off of her. It was like she was lit from within and it just shone like a beacon. Those eyes...I have only seen those same eyes on one other person and that's my favourite figure skater, Kurt Browning. He has Diana's eyes. They're this brilliant blue that just sparkle w/mischief. No picture ever did Princess Diana justice, but what shocked me was her voice. It was a very musical voice. I've read she had perfect pitch, but after talking to her, I believe it. It had a lilting tone to it and was a bit different from most British voices I've heard. It's hard to describe, but the best I can come up w/is that it truly was a musical voice.
To see Diana around children though, and there were many on the floor that day having fun w/the exhibits, was something to see. I saw her watching a little girl playing w/a bowl of bubbles, I forget the experiment, but it was the look Diana gave the little girl after being greeted w/a bright and bubbly "Hi!!" The Princess had this wistful longing expression. You could tell she just wanted to stop and play, but she couldn't and she knew it too.
The "adoption" ceremony was priceless though. Diana was so impressed by how silky the fur felt and how the baby beavers would be raised so they could go back to the wild, that she was holding up the schedule. Every few seconds there would be this gruff, "Diana!!" That would be followed w/a, "Yes, Yes, Yes...I'm coming, I'm coming...", but she really wasn't. :oD
Not long after that, the two of them had to leave. Not just to finish their tour of Science North, but also for the separate engagements they had in the city that day. For Diana, hers had to be very hard to get through. She officially opened Daffodill Terrace, which is the home away from home for those Cancer patients coming to Sudbury for their treatment at The Northeastern Ontario Cancer Treatment Centre. The day before, Charles and Diana had been notified one of their Goddaughters had lost her fight w/lukemia. I can't even imagine what must have been going through Diana's mind during her engagement at Daffodill Terrace, but it certainly couldn't have been easy for her to get through.
By that time, Gail and I were on our way home, but she took the long way around to try and keep out of the Royal Motorcade's route. We chatted about the morning and me meeting the Princess. This is how much shock I was in at the time though. I had to ask Gail if I'd actually done my curtsey as planned, because I was in such a state of shock, I couldn't remember if I had or not. She told me that yes, I did do my curtsey and it was a beautiful one too. :o)
I know for a fact I did not walk into our house that day. I floated in. In some ways, it still feels a bit unreal it really happened. It did though and it is a day I will cherish forever.
Oh. One more thing. Remember that letter and essay I gave Diana? Two and a half weeks later, I come home to find a letter waiting for me. Since my birthday is at the end of October I assumed, and so did Mom, it was a birthday card or wishes. That is until I turned it over to open and saw The Prince of Wales crest on the centre of the point of the fold of the envelope. I'm sure Mom thought I'd lost it when I started screaming for a knife, but there was no way I was opening that w/my fingers. Inside was a letter by Her Royal Highness' Lady in Waiting thanking me for the letter and the essay and that the Princess was greatly moved by my essay.
As you can imagine, that letter is one of my most cherished posessions.
And we come to the end of that very special day that I will hold in my heart always.
Like millions around the world ten years ago, I was shattered when I saw the bottom of CNN change from "Princess Diana Critically Injured" to "Diana Dead" before any of the commentators could say a word. Every year since at 2am on August 31st, which is when the news broke, I stop and remember.
It's the only time I take out my copy of the Candle In The Wind 1997 CD to listen to and as I do, I remember someone who was a true friend of the disabled, who w/one picture changed AIDS Awareness forever and someone who adored her boys. I also think about how that day I swore I would find some way to help in whatever way I could do to honour Diana's Memory. I've lost track of how many blankets, booties, hats and other items I've crocheted over the years for Project Preemie and Project Linus in my area. I haven't lost track of what it's given me back in so many ways and that's the important thing. Diana was so good at giving and what is more fitting a tribute than passing that along in her memory.
She would approve I think.
I started this at somewhere around 3am this morning and have kept at it on and off this morning. The Service of Thanksgiving at Guards Chapel is long over and William and Harry should be so proud of themselves for what they did w/the planning of this. It was perfect. Harry's address to everyone though...Well Done Harry. Well Done Indeed.
And now...Now, I'm off to bed and literally crash on to it for some badly needed sleep. If you've read this epic, thank you. I just thought I'd share what remains a very special moment in my life w/a very special lady w/all of you on this, the Tenth Anniversary of her death.
But I'll talk about that later. Right now, I'm sure everyone is remembering where they were ten years ago when they heard the news. We all remember those images. However, it's not August 31st, 1997 I want to talk about. It's October 24th, 1991.
I was in the middle of the first semester of Grade Thirteen. I had graduated Grade Twelve the year before, but in hoping to go on to University, I had returned to go for my OAC/Grade Thirteen. Little did I realize I would not finish the year, but instead end up starting Kidney Dialysis that coming February. There was something else I didn't realize would be happening either.
In June of that year, it was announced Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Wales would be coming to Canada for a visit of Ontario in October. However, the really big news in that announcement was that Sudbury was on their Schedule. Not just any stop either. This visit to my hometown would also be the Official Welcome to the Prince and Princess to both Canada and Ontario!!
I have been interested in Royalty and The Monarchy since I was old enough to understand what our neighbour and good friend of my parents told me when she looked after me. Lily and Ernie had emigrated from Britain to Canada in the 60's and what I had thought were these wonderful tales of Kings and Queens, were actually my first lessons in Royal History. It sparked a passion for Royal History I still have to this day. Especially for the Tudors, as it was that era that was Lily's favourite and it has also become mine.
When you combine that w/The Royal Wedding of the Century in July of 1981 when a Lady because a Princess you now understand just how excited that particular announcement was to me. Like many, I had admired the Princess and followed along in the media. It was more than that though.
One of Diana's chief causes was to give Disabled people a voice and to show them there was someone out there that truly did care for them. I am a Disabled Person. I am legally blind thanks to the eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa and do use a white cane when out in public. Her treating other like me as normal human beings the way Diana did, plus the incredable work she did for AIDS Awareness...I so respected her and what she brought to the role of Princess of Wales. I knew this would be the chance of a lifetime of seeing the Princess live and right in front of me, but also knew the closest I'd get to her would be either far away behind a rope line or a fleeting glimpse as the car drove past. Such as w/Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Sudbury in 1984.
Thank God for Moms, because mine was determined I was going to see Diana. Little did she even know...
Knowing how much bright sunlight affects my eyes thanks to the RP, Mom decided her best bet would be to call Science North. At least she could ask where I could be outside and if she was told there was that nothing that could be done on the science centre's end, then at least she tried and I'd just have to accept that. So when she eventually ended up speaking w/the Head of the Committee setting up things for the Reception and Tour of Science North, and she was asked by this lady, "I think we can work something out for your daughter Ma'am. Would you prefer her to be outside or inside?"
Mom told me later she was so shocked by that, it took a couple of seconds for her to recover and tell the lady, "INSIDE!! Of course, inside would be wonderful." All that was needed was the information for the security background checks for both me and the person who would be my guide and then everything would be set. Mom went the next day to pick up the invitations and then she just had to wait for me to come home.
How in the name of everything holy and sacred she managed to not tell me, I still have no idea, but she didn't. However, the setup couldn't have been more perfect. Even if Hollywood has written it, it couldn't have been more perfect.
That day at school for me was not the greatest in the world. I'd had a fight w/a friend, one w/a teacher, then the news came down the principal was making all the teachers schedule any and all tests for the day of the Royal Visit. Yes, he was a (fill in blank w/favourite descriptive word here) little man. BTW, we were the only school in the entire Sudbury Board that happened at. Anyway...Then, I'd found out I'd failed a History test. On European Royal History at that!! So, yeah. Not a great day.
I remember storming into the house, slamming my books down on the table and launching into this dramatic sob story of what a horrible day it had been and I, unknowingly, capped it off w/, "There is nothing that make this day any better. Nothing!!" Mom started snickering, then said, "Oh, I think there is." To which I replied, "No, there isn't. You don't under..."
That's when she placed the invitation in my hands and I became very grateful the chair was directly behind me. :oD I think I read it three times before I realized it was real. "You have been invited to the Reception for Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Wales..." I pinched myself a couple of times to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Then I gave Mom one of the biggest and hardest hugs I've ever given her.
Then came the question of what do I wear and which lucky parent would end up going w/me. To this day, my parents regret turning down the other invite. At the time, we were in the process of building this house. Their retirement home. They were in the middle of doing the drywalling and wanted to take advantage of the weekend to get as much done as possible. As disappointed as I was, I understood. Plus, they aren't into the Royals as much as I am, so they thought someone that was should go w/me. Which was a logical and fair decision and I understood, but I still wish after all she did to get me into Science North, Mom had been w/me. And now...Hindsight really is not a great thing at times.
It was decided another neighbour of ours, since by then Lily and Ernie had moved away, would go w/me. To say Gail was thrilled is an understatement. After that, figuring out what to wear was the easy thing. It also brings us to my only real regret of that day.
I was, at the time, a Ranger in the Senior Branches of Guides Canada. So, you would think I'd want to wear my uniform that day, right? It never even crossed my mind I'm sad to say. What I did wear was nice and looked great on me, but I really wish I had thought of my uniform. As regrets go though, that isn't really that bad of a one.
Finally, the day came.
I will never, ever, forget the moment the little Shuttle Bus that took us from the parking lot of Lily Creek Athletic Field to Science North turned down the curve of Science North's driveway and I saw the entrance area to the science centre that day. Both the Maple Leaf and the Union Jack were flying on alternate flag poles leading from the end of the curve to the front doors. The only time I have ever seen military looking the way they did that day, is in my books of the processions in London for major Royal events. They were completely decked out in Full Ceremonial Dress. When you combine the shine coming off of their metal Ceremonial helmets, the plumes on the top of their helmets flying, the flags flying and the trees at the high of their Fall colour and...It truly was an unforgettable sight.
We had to arrive a full hour and a half before the Royal Party arrived. Both for everyone to arrive, but also for the security to do what they needed to do before Charles and Diana arrived. As Mother Nature does on occasion though, she decided to change the weather. It had been overcast, but clear. That changed to rainy and, at the Airport, foggy. That pushed back the schedule another forty minutes to an hour. So we had a fair amount of time to kill. I hadn't been in Science North for a few years, so I didn't mind walking around here and there while waiting for the Prince and Princess to arrive.
Gail and I had decided to wait on, what was at the time, the main animal floor. It also had a mini theatre in the round where experiment type shows were held and probally still are. The reason why we picked that floor was because we had learned that Charles and Diana would be "adopting" one of the baby beavers that were being raised there until they would be old enough to be released to the wild. Thought it was a safe bet they'd spend a fair amount of time in that area. That it certainly was...
As I said, we did have a fair amount of time to kill. We walked around, chatted w/other guests and members of the staff. At one point, a team from the K-9 Unit was standing beside me while I sat for a break from standing. I wasn't sure if the Officer Handler would talk to me, but thought I'd chance it anyway. Turned out not only was he allowed to chat, but he also answered my questions about what his dog could do. Not only was he a bomb sniffer dog, but also Search and Rescue, Drug Control, as well as many other things. He told me the one call they are trained to answer and respond that he hates is when they have to go in search of a body in a burnt building. As he said, when it's Search and Rescue, there's at least hope. W/the other call, there's no hope at all. His partner was one of the most gorgeous German Shepherds I've ever seen.
We chatted for about ten to fifteen minutes, then I needed a washroom. Thankfully, there wasn't a sign yet of the Royal Party's plane on the tarmac of Sudbury Airport on the feed they were showing of the coverage on our local station, so I knew I wouldn't miss anything really important w/a trip to the washroom. I still laugh though from overhearing one of the younger Staff Members talking about how to address the Prince or Princess. "Is it Your Royal Dude or Dudette or is it Your Royal Highness Dude or Dudette?" He was kidding of course, but it was a good laugh nonetheless. :oD
I was over beside Rolf the porcupine's area in the animal exhibit when I heard the excitement level go up a notch. When I turned around, I saw on the TV screen a plane rolling down the runway w/the co pilot holding outside of the window a small version of Their Royal Highnesses' Standard. They were finally on the ground and in Sudbury!! It was still a twenty to thirty minute trip from the airport to Science North, but they were actually in Sudbury. I was actually in the same city as Princess Diana. It was hard to believe, but it really was true!!
We watched the arrival to Science North and the Official Welcoming Ceremony on the TV's. Of course, I realized that a 21 gun salute would be taking place. I do know what the protocol for occasions like these are. However, I thought it would be the Sudbury Regional Police's Guard of Honour doing it w/their rifles. Science North is on the shore of Lake Ramsey in Sudbury. In fact, it takes up the space of what you could call the middle of this little bay. Right across from it, is the Sudbury Yacht Club. It was there the men of the Irish Regiment of Canada had set up the big, and I do mean *big*, guns from the Armoury in Sault Ste Marie for the Salute.
When that first shot went off, everyone jumped at least ten inches off the ground...LOL!! We were all looking around trying to figure out what was going on. Gradually, we all realized what it was and we all laughed over our reactions. Natural reactions, but... :o)
At last. The Ceremonies were finished and they were coming into Science North.
Now, I had been told that they would be going up to the floor above us, then coming down this set of stairs right beside the little mini theatre to our floor. So that's where I was standing. Along w/a girl of about nine or ten. While we waited, the then Mayor of Sudbury, Peter Wong came over to chat w/us and he asked me how much I could see and not to worry. He would make certain I would get a very good look at the Princess. He kept his word that early afternoon and then some.
He had walked away, but about three or four minutes later he came running full out back to me. Now that is a sight I will be seeing until my dying day. There's the Mayor of Sudbury in this gorgeous three piece suit, his Chain of Office around his shoulders and he's running w/his arms out towards me. I couldn't figure out what was going on, but when he stopped just long enough to grab my hand, he said "Come w/me right now!!" As he's taking me away from my "spot", he said, "They told you the wrong thing. They're not coming down the stairs, they're coming down the ramp."
He got me over to the entry way from the ramp to the exhibit floor so fast, that as we're passing by Bob Rae, the then Premier of Ontario, I heard him saying to someone, "Your Royal Highness, allow me to present..." I look back and I see black hair and big ears. There was the back of Prince Charles. So I obviously thought, "If he's there, then she's..." By the time that thought made it's way through my brain, His Honour placed me beside a man in a wheelchair and told me not to move. At that point, I could see blond hair when I looked towards the ramp. Diana was going to be walking right past me. And then...
She got up the ramp and on the floor and in the matter of just a couple of seconds, me and the gentleman in the wheelchair were blocked by this crowd who moved in front of us. I couldn't believe it!! That's when something magical happened. Diana looked at them and smiled. Then she said to them, "Excuse me please?" She walked right past them and right to us. She came and talked to us first!!
I still can't believe that happened, you know? The lady I so admired and she was right in front of me!! I wasn't just going to get a good look at her. I was actually going to talk to her. It's at that moment I clearly remember thinking what a wonderful dream it was and I didn't want to wake up.
Now, as I said earlier, I am visually impaired and need the use of a white cane. I had written an essay on what it was like as a Visually Impaired/Legally Blind Teenager and how I coped in High School. That essay ended up being published in a National Magazine for the Visually Impaired/Blind here in Canada. I wrote a letter explaining the essay and put it and a copy of the essay in an envelope addressed to the Princess in the hope I could somehow get it to her. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to actually give it to her, but I really was getting that chance.
At that time, I was waiting on major knee surgery and had a pretty big brace on my left knee. I swore once I heard about the Visit to Sudbury, that if I met her, I would curtsey to her. I didn't have to, since I wasn't being formally presented to her by anyone, but because I had such enomous respect for the Princess I was going to give her one. If anyone had peeked into our kitchen window that morning, they would have thought I had officially lost it. All I was doing was practicing my bob and putting my weight on my right and *good* knee.
So what ended up happening? I remember her turning to me after talking to the gentleman in the wheelchair, Diana extending her hand to me and what do I do? You guessed it, put my weight on my *left* knee as I performed my curtsey to Her Royal Highness. How I didn't end up on the floor of the exhibit area, I have no idea, but I remember praying, "Dear God please don't let me fall...Dear God please don't let me fall....Dear God please don't me fall..." :oD
I said to her, "It's an honour to meet you Your Royal Highness." and extended the letter and essay to her. Diana asked, "Oh!! Is this for me?" I told her yes and then, "Welcome to Sudbury." She replied, "It's a pleasure to be here." By then Bob Rae had come over and told me, "Thank you." and had to move her along to meet the other people who had been waiting.
I can say w/all honesty, no picture ever did that lady justice. She was so very beautiful, but it was matched by the light that just radiated off of her. It was like she was lit from within and it just shone like a beacon. Those eyes...I have only seen those same eyes on one other person and that's my favourite figure skater, Kurt Browning. He has Diana's eyes. They're this brilliant blue that just sparkle w/mischief. No picture ever did Princess Diana justice, but what shocked me was her voice. It was a very musical voice. I've read she had perfect pitch, but after talking to her, I believe it. It had a lilting tone to it and was a bit different from most British voices I've heard. It's hard to describe, but the best I can come up w/is that it truly was a musical voice.
To see Diana around children though, and there were many on the floor that day having fun w/the exhibits, was something to see. I saw her watching a little girl playing w/a bowl of bubbles, I forget the experiment, but it was the look Diana gave the little girl after being greeted w/a bright and bubbly "Hi!!" The Princess had this wistful longing expression. You could tell she just wanted to stop and play, but she couldn't and she knew it too.
The "adoption" ceremony was priceless though. Diana was so impressed by how silky the fur felt and how the baby beavers would be raised so they could go back to the wild, that she was holding up the schedule. Every few seconds there would be this gruff, "Diana!!" That would be followed w/a, "Yes, Yes, Yes...I'm coming, I'm coming...", but she really wasn't. :oD
Not long after that, the two of them had to leave. Not just to finish their tour of Science North, but also for the separate engagements they had in the city that day. For Diana, hers had to be very hard to get through. She officially opened Daffodill Terrace, which is the home away from home for those Cancer patients coming to Sudbury for their treatment at The Northeastern Ontario Cancer Treatment Centre. The day before, Charles and Diana had been notified one of their Goddaughters had lost her fight w/lukemia. I can't even imagine what must have been going through Diana's mind during her engagement at Daffodill Terrace, but it certainly couldn't have been easy for her to get through.
By that time, Gail and I were on our way home, but she took the long way around to try and keep out of the Royal Motorcade's route. We chatted about the morning and me meeting the Princess. This is how much shock I was in at the time though. I had to ask Gail if I'd actually done my curtsey as planned, because I was in such a state of shock, I couldn't remember if I had or not. She told me that yes, I did do my curtsey and it was a beautiful one too. :o)
I know for a fact I did not walk into our house that day. I floated in. In some ways, it still feels a bit unreal it really happened. It did though and it is a day I will cherish forever.
Oh. One more thing. Remember that letter and essay I gave Diana? Two and a half weeks later, I come home to find a letter waiting for me. Since my birthday is at the end of October I assumed, and so did Mom, it was a birthday card or wishes. That is until I turned it over to open and saw The Prince of Wales crest on the centre of the point of the fold of the envelope. I'm sure Mom thought I'd lost it when I started screaming for a knife, but there was no way I was opening that w/my fingers. Inside was a letter by Her Royal Highness' Lady in Waiting thanking me for the letter and the essay and that the Princess was greatly moved by my essay.
As you can imagine, that letter is one of my most cherished posessions.
And we come to the end of that very special day that I will hold in my heart always.
Like millions around the world ten years ago, I was shattered when I saw the bottom of CNN change from "Princess Diana Critically Injured" to "Diana Dead" before any of the commentators could say a word. Every year since at 2am on August 31st, which is when the news broke, I stop and remember.
It's the only time I take out my copy of the Candle In The Wind 1997 CD to listen to and as I do, I remember someone who was a true friend of the disabled, who w/one picture changed AIDS Awareness forever and someone who adored her boys. I also think about how that day I swore I would find some way to help in whatever way I could do to honour Diana's Memory. I've lost track of how many blankets, booties, hats and other items I've crocheted over the years for Project Preemie and Project Linus in my area. I haven't lost track of what it's given me back in so many ways and that's the important thing. Diana was so good at giving and what is more fitting a tribute than passing that along in her memory.
She would approve I think.
I started this at somewhere around 3am this morning and have kept at it on and off this morning. The Service of Thanksgiving at Guards Chapel is long over and William and Harry should be so proud of themselves for what they did w/the planning of this. It was perfect. Harry's address to everyone though...Well Done Harry. Well Done Indeed.
And now...Now, I'm off to bed and literally crash on to it for some badly needed sleep. If you've read this epic, thank you. I just thought I'd share what remains a very special moment in my life w/a very special lady w/all of you on this, the Tenth Anniversary of her death.