By Charles P. Eberson
A Senior’s Observations,
Opinions and Rantings
I was shopping in a supermarket with my wife when she received a text as she usually does but this time, I observed an immediate change in her expression. She looked at me and said “the Queen has died. Queen Elizabeth passed away.” I gripped the shopping cart and hung my head in disbelief trying to grasp the enormity of the event. One can hardly turn on the TV or view social media without coverage of her passing and of the remaining Royal Family.
Without going into too much detail, to think that her reign has covered a span of over seventy years in some of the most tumultuous times is a testament to her strength of character, especially since she was only in line for the crown after her uncle unexpectedly abdicated the throne. But even at the young age of twenty-one, on her birthday, then Princess Elizabeth gave a speech to the British Commonwealth in which she said in part, “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service or our great imperial family to which we all belong.” Little did she know then to what extent her service would be.
I have to say, my degree of sadness has to do with the feeling most of my life that I had one foot in America and one in Great Britain. Those of you who follow my column know that my mother was born and raised in England until meeting and marrying my father, a member of the U. S. Army Air Corps stationed near London. She emigrated to the U.S. and became an American citizen but she always kept her British citizenship.
Mum always referred to England as “home” and made the trip “over the pond” every couple years, taking my brother and me in tow. My father grew up in an orphanage so all the uncles, aunts and cousins I knew lived in England. She also enrolled me in school there during the visits to give herself a break from my mischievous behavior. We enjoyed the afternoon tea with cucumber sandwiches or beans on toast wedges but I drew the line at pickled herring.
When it came to loyalty to a country, mum was a study in contrasts. When I would tease her on July 4th about America gaining her independence, she sniffed and just said we would have been better off staying in the Commonwealth. Perhaps. She thought American football was silly. “Why does everyone have to jump on the lad with the ball? That’s ridiculous.” Rugby was more her style. Again, I can’t disagree. Her love of everything British almost knew no bounds. Almost.
Surprisingly, she was not fond of the British monarchy as an institution and the role it played in Great Britain and the British Commonwealth. In particular, she voiced her displeasure of Britain waging war against Argentina over its nearby Falkland Islands 1982. She was critical of members of the royal family and especially didn’t care for Prince Charles but as far as Queen Elizabeth II was concerned, my mum had nothing but admiration and loyalty for her. They were of similar ages; young ladies during WWII and withstanding the bombing of London, married men from the military, had children, raised a family and grew old together. Various milestones during the Queen’s reign which included the Golden Jubilee in 1977, the Silver Jubilee in 2002, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana were celebrated with commemorative Fine Bone China cups and saucers.
These treasures were proudly displayed on our mantle above the fireplace. The gardeners referred to my mum’s home as the Queen’s House. This is the atmosphere in which I grew up.
I mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II as a monarch as well as an example of steadfast dedication and service. I am also relieved that my mum was not still with us to witness her passing for I fear it would have weighed too heavily on her but if she saw Prince Charles as King Charles III, she would certainly be turning over in her grave like a Costco rotisserie chicken.
Charles Eberson has been in the newspaper business for over 25 years. He has worked as a writer, advertising executive, circulation manager and photographer. His photography can be viewed at charles-eberson.fineartamerica.com
