I am really enjoying the few snippets of video I have seen about the celebration of Queen Elizabeth's remarkable Platinum Jubilee that began in earnest this week. Incredibly, she has been queen 2 years longer than I have been alive and has steadfastly served her country since she vowed to do so in her early 20's.
Her ascension to the throne, as most people know, was a fluke she could not have anticipated, because, were it not for the fact that her uncle David was such a lounge-lizard and Roue', Elizabeth's father would never have become King and she would not have thereafter become Queen at his untimely death.
Uncle David (Edward VIII) could not bear to carry out his kingly duties and abdicated the same year he took the throne. As long as he remained king, he was not allowed to marry the twice divorced Wallis Simpson, who shared his love of the finer, more leisurely benefits of royal life.
David (Edward VIII) enjoyed parties, gorgeous clothing, food and cocktails, and everything rich and sumptuous. He would have none of that disagreeable "duty" and "service" that come with a royal title, though he wanted to retain all the honorifics for himself and Wallis, which the royal family and Parliament would not allow. In fact, it was specifically announced that Wallis would NOT be granted the "HRH" that the wife of a monarch, even a former one, would typically get.
I mention all of that business with Elizabeth's uncle to highlight just how remarkable has been Elizabeth's steadfast devotion to the British people and to her duties. You know, some people do not bother to think about everything she had to give up in order to become queen. They see the family jewels and pomp and circumstance and imagine that she is just sucking it all up and enjoying herself, but I defy anyone to tell me that they would enjoy giving up their freedom in order to do a ceaseless round of formal events, rain or shine, ill health or well. The woman is much older than I am and I can barely get a daily shower, while she is handling a really full schedule!
Of course, the Queen has people to clean, make the meals, and keep the household running. I won't dismiss those facts, but in order to do the work that she does I would also have to have at least as many servants as she has, so I don't begrudge it to her one bit.
Elizabeth and I are very distant cousins, thanks to those folks from the British Isles who were descended from the nobility but were the "second sons" who did not inherit the titles and land. The prospect of owning land was not something that many people in the British Isles could have any hope of doing, so when it became possible for some to come here and actually grab some land, with its attendant resources, those who had the means and nerve to do so, came here to try their luck.
My ancestry hails back to some of those folk who settled in Jamestown in the very early years of this country's history, and that is how I came to be Elizabeth II's 20th cousin, once removed! MANY people in the U.S. can say the same, as a lot of years and generations have passed since my aristocratic ancestors came here - plenty of time for lots of progeny!
(It is worth noting, for the genealogy buffs among us, that the European "noble" cousins intermarried frequently so that my shared ancestry with Queen Elizabeth II is from more than one line, all of which have been documented in various history books, marriage and birth records. I have this in common with many of my friends, here in the U.S., due to the "second sons" mentioned earlier.)
So - Saint Adela of Normandy is also on my mind just now because, as is my habit, I try to bring in thoughts and meditations on my saintly ancestors, when possible, in order to get through my day. I wonder if cousin Elizabeth also gives thought to her saintly ancestors in order to get through HER day, the implications and responsibilities of which are far greater than mine!
Adela was a daughter of William the Conqueror and, although a married female, she was involved in politics throughout her life. I suspect this is partially due to her father's great renown. Likely, some of the glow from his reputation and power would reflect a bit on her.
The young saint married when she was but 15 years old, and her husband was more than twice her age, but by all accounts, it was a good marriage. When he was fighting in the Crusades, she acted as regent on his behalf, taking care of his duties in his absence.
Her husband abandoned the Crusade the first time around, and she continued to berate him for it, even during lovemaking, which is rather funny. Eventually, she convinced him to return to that war and he died in it.
They had at least 7 children. I am descended from their son William (Guillaume) and her majesty, Elizabeth II, is descended from a different one. The line of descent is circuitous. Or she may be descended from another child of William the Conqueror. The fact is that we have SEVERAL mutual ancestors, as mentioned before.
Amazon has my address and will mail to me direct. Fortunately, they already know where I live and my Amazon shipments do not usually get lost. I really need some of the food items, mostly the nuts and seeds...as well as the supplements. All of those things are very dear and beyond reach for my budget, but they are recommended on the diet that four or five medical personnel have advised me to eat.
Also - in addition to prayers for my neighbor, if you could pray for Nicholas and his family, they are couch surfing at a friends house. They have two children, and one is only 3! The other is 7. The car has broken down. So they are without housing and transportation. Nicholas is a nurse and has recently gotten a new job, but he and his little family are going to need a LOT of help to get back on their feet.
As a final note: I was surprised to read an article about a tortoise that was inadvertently put in someone's attic IN A BOX and lived for 30 years in that box without food or water. They just discovered him the other day! Someone went into the attic to clean it out and happened to open the box, and there he was...alive and kicking. Amazing!
Evidently, termite larvae may have kept him going. It is a reminder to me that if I intend to live to 120 and "outlive ALL the bastards," I need to sloooooow down a bit and stop trying to get "everything" done. "Everything" will NEVER be done - especially by a lone gray-haired old hermit lady. All I will do is wear myself down to the nubbins. Also, I could eat less and live longer. Is it time to simplify EVERYTHING?
I think about my neighbor and how she is not prepared to get her needs met in her final years. Who could anticipate her set of circumstances? She has an ailing body and no family members that are positioned to help her. It gives me pause, as my situation is very similar. My only child died when he was but 40.
One thing I have that my neighbor does not is faith and the assistance of my fellow believers. I have noticed that when folks need help, it is almost always the Catholics that step in and assist. The "cosmic poo-poo" people, with their horoscopes and reiki and crystals are nowhere to be found. My neighbor belonged to one of these type of organizations and went to their activities faithfully on Sundays and other days, but I have yet to see even one of those folks come to her aid. Because of her continuing belief in this philosophy, she is also far too hard on herself, blaming herself for her disintegrating health. I suspect it is because they believe in the "power of positive thinking" and that sort of thing.
But sickness, old age and death happens to most of us. (Death happens to ALL of us, of course!) We need to be ready for it. Many religious traditions have this 'hard wired" into their spiritual practices, such as meditating on death.
Obviously, I am not going to be obnoxious and force Catholicism on anyone, but I hope to be like Brother Tortoise and endure as an example of Christian charity, if possible. It is a difficult task for me, considering my own poor health and reduced circumstances, but I do my best to stay established in the type of humility necessary.
I thank Brother Tortoise for popping up in my news feed and reminding me of some elementary truths.
God bless you all!
Silver Rose
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