The People’s Princess

The royal family didn’t like her, the aristocracy didn’t like her. She was vulnerable, she was not a perfect person, and I guess she could be difficult. But she was good. And she cared. – Dominick Dunne

Princess. Humanitarian. Kind-hearted spirit. Lover. Legend. All these words come to mind when I reflect on the life of, Princess Diana. When I was a little girl, I remember being fascinated with her and her life. It wasn’t until I became a woman that I realized why.

On the surface, Princess Diana’s life may have seemed like a fairy tale, but truthfully, reports shared she was in a loveless marriage and lonely in her role as a princess. She also struggled with insecurities, an eating disorder and loneliness on a level I couldn’t imagine anyone being able to cope well with. When she divorced, the world saw as she completely reinvented herself into an extraordinary woman who could empathize with just about anyone she encountered and touch many hearts and lives in the process. Her ability to reach people from all walks of life was incredible.

Her empathy and ability to connect with others is one of the things I believe made her such a beautiful soul. And what’s amazing, is seeing that same spirit carry on in her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. They both embody many of the characteristics their mother had and it shows. She was also gorgeous, had incredible style and even seemed gutsy during the demise of her marriage. She wouldn't let anyone silence her. I love that she was a princess that didn’t fit the mold as far as tradition was concerned and she was even vocal about this in past interviews and different accounts written about her life. Her untimely death in August 1997 was one that shook the world, and it’s hard not to imagine what she would’ve been like to this day.

Right now I’m actually reading a great fictional novel titled Untold Story by Monica Ali. It’s inspired by the life of the late princess through the characterization of a fictional princess, and dives into what her life may have been like if she were still alive. What’s cool about the novel is that it’s being told mainly through narrative and diary entries. So far I find it fascinating and if you’re a reader, it’s definitely worth checking out.

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

I’m Glad I’m Not Married

When I was about five years old, I was sitting in the backseat of my dad’s car when me, him, my older cousin (my aunt’s son), and my aunt (my dad’s sister) caught my aunt’s fiancé with another woman. My dad had been driving my aunt out to run some errands since she didn’t have a driver’s license or a car. When she spotted her man with another woman, she told my dad to pull the car over, got out of the car, and immediately addressed him. She wanted the keys back to her apartment and was done with him. The other woman she caught her fiancé with slapped him when she realized what was happening, and that was that. When my aunt returned to the car, she was clearly and understandably upset, and the ride back to her place was quiet. Although I was too young to fully grasp what was happening at the time, I knew it wasn’t good. And now, at 34 years old, I can’t imagine how much pain she was in. Her wedding had been planned and paid for – and she never made it down the aisle. My aunt was a beaut...

How To Respond To A Nasty Email

Technology has made many people bold, rude, and incredibly messy. Often to the point where some may hide behind words they’ve typed instead of verbally communicating a message they want to convey. Such can be the case when it comes to sending emails. Ah, emails. You know what they are. Electronic messages that can be quickly drafted, sent, and misinterpreted (because you can’t always interpret tones or emotions through them). Which is why it’s key to know how to respond to nasty emails if they should ever come your way – especially in the workplace. As a working professional, there have been plenty of times when a coworker or superior sent an email my way that was petty, mad disrespectful, and unprofessional. And before I learned how to properly utilize email etiquette, my first instinct would always be to clap back. I just felt the need to respond and to communicate that I wouldn’t allow anyone, no matter who they were, to disrespect me. And while I haven’t taken t...

Making Waves