Elizabeth’s constant dependability will be missed

Before she became Queen, Elizabeth was a mechanic and a driver in Britain’s military. She loved driving, and in one legendary story completely freaked out King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia driving him around Balmoral in a Land Rover. Photo: Autoweek

*****

There are things that we know are constant. At least we take it for granted they are.

The Sun will rise, the winds will blow and each day we awaken we will have another chance.

It throws us for a loop when something we thought was constant and predictable is no longer.

Such is the case with one of the most constant figures of this century. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

She was always there. In the background of the headlines, beyond reach of trends, fads and what was currently ‘IN’   In a world that continues to change at breakneck speeds.

I make my living driving a truck. I depend on that “no fuss” reliable truck to do its job without drama. There is reassurance in that constant.

Such it has been for a reign of 70 years for Her Majesty: constant dependability.

No, she had little to do with the influencing policies be they domestic or foreign.  She wasn’t permitted to voice her opinion regarding foreign leaders and their current state of affairs. 

She for 70 years was just there. There on a world stage framed by tolerance, dignity, grace and most importantly, servitude.  To which, at the young age of 25, she committed without hesitation. 

By all accounts, she conducted her duties with the interests of the “common people” first and foremost, regardless which commonwealth country she was attending to.

She as the “The Keeper of the Faith,” charged with defending the Church of England, made sure that every faith had the freedom to be expressed.

I always held the impression, and I think I am correct in assuming this: yes, she was born into the position. Yes, she was of a wealthy heritage. But more importantly, her interactions with spectators, well wishers, citizens and just plain ordinary people exposed a down to earth, kind, level-headed woman who accepted a huge task at a young age. For 70 years, she performed it with great dignity and passion.

There are many who feel that the monarchy is outdated, not needed and a waste of taxpayer money. Maybe so. 

But as a taxpayer and someone who never had the opportunity to see Her Majesty in person, I have never had cause to complain about my tax dollars supporting an institution that brought the Commonwealth and the world a finer example of tolerance, dignity, grace and strength on a constant basis.

With her passing I find myself searching the horizon for what is left that is constant, predictable and reassuring. 

She will be missed.

MLM