Diana was no saint.There, I've said it. So why do people try to make her out to be? A recent Hello Magazine article her words of motherly 'wisdom' are being shared with the world: 'Rediscovered and published for the first time since her death - A Mother's poignant plea.' What will be rediscovered next? Diana's poignant words about fashion? global warming? men?
Let's see:
"Each step I take in my Manolo Blaknik's makes me one with the suffering of the world"
"Climate change starts with changing my hair products"
"Men can never understand giving birth"
Give it a break already.
I have several books about Diana, so I've probably read every variation on how wonderful she was. But when people try to put her on some sort of pedestal I get tired. No one is perfect, not even Diana. What can she possibly share with us about motherhood that is special, unique, gives mothers around the world guidance in raising their children? It's like those inspirational desk calendars or Chicken Soup for the Mother's soul - lip service wrapped in a saccharine, pink ribbon, chamomile tea, floral package.
"There are children who suffer in silence, holding on to their inner turmoil"
Zzz....*Yawn* Sorry, where was I? Aren't there organizations that recognize this already? Organizations that actually do something about this problem? Oh wait, yes, one of them comes to mind - it's called Save the Children! And guess who's working with them? Princess Anne. Will her poignant, less than photogenic, words of motherly wisdom be shared with us after her death?
I doubt it.
I admit, I have not read the Hello magazine article. Maybe doing so would tug at my heart strings and change my mind. Yes, knowing Diana's profound posthumous observations have made the world a better place. Or they could be on par with horrible teenage angst ridden poetry. Wince inducing and not worth revisiting.
No doubt someone will write a book or make a desk calendar about Diana's sayings; 365 days of paraphrased quotes. And it will provide inspiration to mother's everywhere. Or maybe it won't.
Either way, I'm not buying it.
© Marilyn Braun 2008
2 comments:
Oh Marilyn, this was a great post! I definitely hear what you're saying.
I have long been a proponent for more recognition of Princess Anne rather than Diana. Anne simply plans her itinerary, gets her shots, then heads to Africa and gets on with it. She doesn't need to make sure her hair is perfect or that she has a matching landmine ensemble! Egad!
You're right, she was far from perfect and people take the adoration too far. I sympathize with Diana and admire her good works. And yet, when I first saw her famous Panorama interview, I got impatient and said something to myself like, "Stop whining, Diana," and turned it off.
Some people would be angry at me for saying that. But the poor woman was not a devil, not an angel, just human.
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