Although grief is a deeply personal emotion, we are driven to share it with others. Buying a bouquet of flowers wrapped in lace-imprinted cellophane and tossing it on a pile with thousands of others, wedging a stuffed koala bear in a wrought iron fence, lining up for as long as nine hours to sign a condolence book are some ways people have tried to connect with others during this time of worldwide grief.
Might there be a more productive way to deal with our sadness? Princess Diana tried to provide leadership in giving–by auctioning her gowns for charity, by appearing at a Chicago benefit, by mustering support for eliminating land mines. We can honor her memory in many ways by emulating her giving spirit.
Send a check, no matter how small, to one of the organizations she supported or to your own favorite charity in her memory. Your name will forever be tied to hers in the charity’s publications that list memorial donations. The charity will notify the family that a memorial gift has been received. You’ll be surprised how this will make you feel–as if you are a real part of the remarkable life she led.
