I was up at 3:30 am this morning, even earlier than my usual 4 am, having a cup of warm strong coffee and perusing through quick news on twitter when I see an announcement from Buckingham Palace regarding the Queen’s health.  I do think it is odd and rather ominous as I don’t recall seeing any such announcements in the past.  It was not long before all the news agencies picked up on it too and speculations were flying and reporting of her family making their way to Balmoral.

My heart sank, for two reasons.  One, thinking of her family because to us she has been “The Queen.,”  the queen my entire lifetime, but she is their mum and grandmother.  I think of my own recent loss of my mother and if this is the Queen’s time, I know the pain and heartache that is ahead for them over the next few hours and days.  After my mom died I found a brooch she had of a crown, I had never seen it before, but I kept it.  Today I put it on in honor of Queen Elizabeth and a reminder to think of her and her family.

Over the past few weeks in an effort to avoid the news on current events, I have been rewatching The Crown on Netflix.  Just a few weeks ago I watched the episode of her Coronation.  In that episode, it is infers that upon placing the crown on her head the Queen becomes part of the divine, she was anointed.  

So the second reason, my heart sank is that I was thinking of her life. The long reign that she has had, I realized that there may never be another that can fill her place. She is part of an generation that is no more. Part of the greatest generation, she was guided by great statesmen and led her nation through many changes.

As I write this, the announcement has just been made that Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II has passed.  She was the last of an era of devoted loyal servants.  Whether divine and or extraordinary woman… May she now rest in peace.