The Queen
Sun, September 11, 2022 
The Queen died this week. I find it interesting that Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, and the British Commonwealth is referred to as “The Queen,” and everyone knows who that is. There are other countries in the world that are Monarchies with a King or Queen and a Royal Family, but I cannot name them all off the top of my head.
I find it “Neat,” (For want of a better word.) that countries like Britain have a head of state, whose ancestry can be traced back hundreds of years, and are direct descendants of former heads of state. A symbolic, non-political head of state in name only that is, but never-the-less it gives one a comforting sense of continuity.
That continuity has now been broken, and for me is a loss that took several days to actually sink in. I was 16 years old and just started work early in 1952 when the Queen’s father George VI died. Elizabeth’s Coronation came a year later in 1953. For those born around or since that date, The Queen has always been there. Her face on postage stamps, and on paper money and coins.
Her presence always gave me a sense that the government was somehow less powerful. Whether that was true or not, I am not sure, but I always felt that whoever was in charge, it would not affect my life that much, and they could be booted out of office in the next election.
I carried this feeling over to these United States where I have lived for over 43 years, more than half my life. As a Green Card-carrying Resident, I have no vote, but I fret far less over who is President, or what the Government does. Instead, I care more who my friends are and what I can do for others.
The Queen did not choose who she was, that was thrust upon her, but it was a crown she carried well. Sure, she was a celebrity with all the wealth and luxury that it brings, but it was not a position that she could slip away from and quietly retire.
She lived her life with dignity, as a servant to her people. A reminder that we are all servants in some way or other. We have no choice where we came from, but we do get to decide where we are headed and who we choose to accompany us on that journey.
Reader Comments (5)
Well said Dave. I can tell you that, here in the UK, there was a palpable feeling of shock when the country heard the news.
That is the part that always amazed me, that she wasn't in line for the throne until she suddenly was. She rose to the occasion in a way that few could. And did it for longer than any other.
I would like to think that she inspired many people to rise to a level of service and dedication that they didn't think possible.
Great comments Dave.
Having been born in 1949, a Canadian, I can hardly remember George VI as the king. My mother was born within a couple of months of Elizabeth and somewhat resembled her as a young woman. I was once dragged along as a young child to see the queen during a Canadian visit. I have a vague memory of her driving by in a bubble top car. Strangely, over the years I started to collect pennies as I found them in my pocket change of Elizabeth's father George VI, I have several hundred of them. Why? It is in remembrance of a time I no longer remember, but should be remembered. Like Elizabeth, George was thrust into a role that he never expected to have to fulfil. He did so admirably as did his daughter
Thanks Dave. But why do you say the continuity has broken? She is succeeded by her son as expected. The lineage continues. God Save the King.