A Treasure to Keep

RIP HRH Queen Elizabeth II

As I listened to the news of Queen Elizabeth’s passing today all I could think was “she’s gone.” Ecclesiastes 3:20 says, “All are from the dust and to dust all return.”

By her blood she was deemed royal, yet in the world there is no one person who’s blood is truly different from the other. In her 96 years on earth she remained steadfast, articulate, fair and graceful. A true leader. What made her an incredible example is that she knew who the true King was. She relied on her faith to guide her through the valleys and the hills.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Winsor did not choose to be royal. It was decided for her by lineage and a family scandal causing her uncle, King Edward VIII, to choose to abdicate the throne. The role of King was passed to the younger brother. Elizabeth’s father reluctantly became King George VI of England. He would pass away early at the age of 56 when she was only 25 years old. Can one imagine the role that was her fate?

In every royal scene, painted with all of its riches and privileges, celebrations, praise, and longtime criticisms, came the same common problems, heartaches, embarrassments, illnesses and many other things that everyday families experience.

There will be no trailers stuffed with castles, fancy cars, golden furniture, crowns and paintings to take to heaven. There will be just her. Like us. Dust to dust.

There will be crowds and tears, a royal train and casket, a funeral and a passing of the crown. Her family, like ours, will be caught in a long season of grief and joy.

In the end it’s not where we come from or what type of “deemed” blood we are handed. It is how we carry ourselves with what we have been handed. Queen Elizabeth did not speak poorly of others, nor give dark divisive speeches. She chose, duty, purpose, faith, kindness, strength, humor, love, grace and dignity. It is in these attributes we can all find our way…

As for this little immigrant girl, I was about five when I began to browse through a book about the royal princesses. I would sit on the floor of my bedroom, in America, completely obsessed with the images of Elizabeth and Margaret playing with their corgis in their life-size playhouse. A connection to my homeland.

Your legacy cannot be placed in museums for us to see, yet rather in our hearts for us to feel. As I say goodbye to a little girl, like me, who loved to play, loved to laugh, loved her pets, her family and the people of the world.., you are a treasure to keep.

“Well done, good and faithful servant”

RIP Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II