![\"\"](\"https:\/\/storage.briwebapp.net\/2020\/08\/abf8397a-carry-iut.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIt still makes me cry.\u00a0 It was 23 years ago today that Princess Diana was killed tragically in that horrific crash in Paris.\u00a0 \u00a0Do you remember where you were when you heard the news?<\/p>\n
My husband and I were returning home from a “date night” when the news broke on the radio.\u00a0 \u00a0I was stunned.<\/p>\n
We got home and we were glued to the tv, trying to understand what was happening.\u00a0 In shock at the news.\u00a0 It couldn’t be true.\u00a0 She was just finding her freedom.\u00a0 She was just starting to be happy and enjoy life outside the palace walls.\u00a0 She had just found love again after Charles.\u00a0 After all the trials and tribulations, the heartaches and struggles and pain – she was finally getting her happy ending.<\/p>\n
It couldn’t be.<\/p>\n
23 years later I’m still feeling sad as I read about her and look at pictures.<\/p>\n
Spend any amount of time online today, and you’ll go down that rabbit hole too.<\/p>\n
It’s odd that we can grieve someone so deeply that we have never met, but so many of us followed Diana.\u00a0 We watched the fairy tale wedding.\u00a0 We watched Diana grow into the confident woman she was.\u00a0 We saw the compassion and kindness.\u00a0 She was an inspiration to the world.\u00a0 \u00a0She did so much to change the world.\u00a0 \u00a0She took on causes near and dear to her heart. She showed her support where others wouldn’t.\u00a0 She tried to lead with kindness and compassion.\u00a0 She brought warmth to the Royal family.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was beautiful.\u00a0 She was brave. She had incredible style.\u00a0 She loved her boys fiercely and taught them life outside of the palace walls.<\/p>\n
I think for so many people, we understood her pain.\u00a0 Of trying to fit in and failing.\u00a0 Of wanting to be loved.<\/p>\n
She struggled with her mental health.\u00a0 She suffered from eating disorders.\u00a0 \u00a0She was not without her flaws.<\/p>\n
Through it we felt a connection.<\/p>\n
23 years.\u00a0 Hard to believe.<\/p>\n
I have continued to watch the story unfold.\u00a0 I’ve watched with the world as her boys grew up before our very eyes.<\/p>\n
We watched them grow from boys to men.\u00a0 We watched them marry and start families of their own.<\/p>\n
I wish I could hug them today and tell them I understand.\u00a0 The whole time I’ve been drawn to them because I too, lost my mom tragically, and when I was young.\u00a0 I know the never ending pain.\u00a0 I know the sadness that is always there, no matter what.\u00a0 I know what it’s like to miss the most important person in your life for a lifetime.<\/p>\n
I think she would be so proud of her boys.\u00a0 They have the very best qualities of their mother.<\/p>\n
Prince William and Prince Harry have issued a new statement about plans for a statue to commemorate their mother, Princess Diana.\u00a0 A statue of Diana will be installed in the garden of Kensington Palace next year on what would\u2019ve been her 60th birthday.\u00a0 July 1, 2021.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Palace said –\u00a0\u201cThe Princes hope that the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on their mother\u2019s life and her legacy,\u201d<\/p>\n
I imagine it will be amazing.\u00a0 Someday, I would love a chance to visit and see the statue and the Palace, and the place where Diana called home.\u00a0 Bucket list item for sure.<\/p>\n
I hope she knows how loved she was and still is.<\/p>\n
Still the Queen of our hearts.<\/p>\n