I still remember exactly where I was standing.  We were camping and we were gathered around the fire pit.  Someone put a radio on and there was breaking news.  Lady Diana had died in a car crash in Paris.

I actually felt like I knew her personally even though we had never met.  I woke up early as a 9-year-old girl to watch her televised wedding to Charles.  Her flowing dress.  The massive cathedral. The carriage ride.  It was magical.

And as I followed her life, I saw that she always led from her heart in a royal world of pomp and circumstance.  She shook hands with an AIDS patient when other people would not. She snuggled with orphans in foreign countries making sure they felt her love.  She walked in mine fields to bring attention to those losing lives and limbs.  She snuck out of the castle at night to talk with homeless people on the street.  And I will never forget when she brought her two young sons to Disney World and they lined up for rides just like everyone else.  No special treatment. Because she wanted them to know that they were human before they were royal.  After watching William and Harry grow up, I think she did an outstanding job as a mother.

I cannot believe it’s been 19 years since she passed on.  Some would say she was lucky to live such a gifted life.  But she always struggled to feel the love she so graciously gave.  And she was hunted by the Paparazzi until the day she died.

Diana said, “I think the biggest disease the world suffers from in this day and age is the disease of people feeling unloved.  I know that I can give love for a minute, for a half an hour, for a day, for a month, but I can give.  I am very happy to do that.  I want to do that.”

Let us remember Diana by following in her footsteps and making others feel validated, worthy and loved.

Diana said, “I’d like to be queen in people’s hearts but I don’t see myself being queen of this country.” She definitely succeeded in being queen of our hearts and may she rest in peace.