Sir, - My son and I returned home from the Jersey Shore and were in the midst of working on my computer when I turned on the CNN late news. Princess Diana dead. In shock, and to my son's and my own surprise, I began to cry.
For many years I have volunteered my time, talents and money on behalf of miscarriage of justice cases in Northern Ireland, the majority of which are Catholic. This human rights struggle has often put me at odds with the British establishment authorities in what I consider to be an occupied country.
My strong reaction to the Princess's tragic death surprised me and I said to my son: "She's the only one of that lot that I liked." He concurred with my feelings.
The next few days found me thinking about this discrepancy in my feelings. What was it about her? She wore her heart on her sleeve (as women often do to their detriment). She fought back (as more women must). She looked for love in all the wrong places (as women often do, etc.). Her feelings shone through her beautiful eyes (fatally photogenic). She held her own (against the odds). She was warm (in cold palaces). She laughed and cried in public (a no-no). She dared to compete with her husband and his aristocratic version of the old-boy network and won (hands down) the hearts of the people. She didn't look back!
She was aware of the world that suffered. Despite the cushioning of wealth, power, fame and beauty, she experienced mental and physical illness. She was lonely. She boldly talked about all of this and took the further step of acting on behalf of the suffering of others. She reached out to ordinary people where, despite her lack of formal education, she was gratefully accepted. She did what she could with what she had. She won and lost. She screwed up and let it show, like the rest of us.
We all have people in our lives whom we want to be there forever because their very presence helps - whether they be family, teachers, etc. Even though we never met her, we wanted her to be there. She let herself be known. She didn't hold back.
Her death was like a blow. A much-needed light went out in the universe. - Yours, etc., JEAN FOREST,
Hoboken,
New Jersey,
USA.