The recent deaths of two women united the world in a state of sorrow. One was tall, rich and glamorous, the other short, poor and living in one of the most difficult places in the world. On the outside, it seemed that they could hardly be more different. Yet, despite their differences, these women represented the same things: generosity and love. These women are Princess Diana and Mother Teresa.
Princess Diana represented the royal family in a way that no one had seen before. Her work included raising funds for 80 charities, comforting AIDS patients and reaching out to the poor, homeless and drug-addicted. Not only did Diana extend herself to those in need, but she also went against the traditional standards of the royal family. In the past, such work would have been discouraged.Though she risked losing respect from the royal family, she continued to respond to those who needed her, no matter how unpopular her actions. Diana was a wonderful mother for her children, teaching them to be proud and not look down upon others. So many different kinds of people identified with and admired Diana that they started referring to her as "our Queen of Hearts."
At the age of 18, Mother Teresa moved to Calcutta to dedicate her life to the poorest of the poor. She created the Home for the Dying where the poor could be comfortable and happy in their final days. She was inspired to create the home after seeing a woman in the streets dying and being eaten by rats. When Mother Teresa attempted to get help for this woman, she was refused by a local hospital but remained so insistent that they relented.
Since then, Mother Teresa branched out and created charitable organizations all over the world. Even after achieving success she still remained in the poorest areas of Calcutta, which she referred to as home. To everyone who visited her, Mother Teresa offered blessings, no matter what religion they were. Her countless acts of generosity and unselfishness have led some to believe that she was truly a modern saint.
The loss of these two remarkable women has been a shock. After seeing countless articles in the newspapers and tabloids, the public began to feel that they understood and identified with Diana. Not only did we read about her good work, but also about the fact that she had the everyday problems that the rest of us have.
People learned about Mother Teresa and the lessons she had to teach all of us through churches, schools and families. She was the perfect example that you don't have to be rich or glamorous to help the world for the better. When our heroes had gone, we felt that a lot of the goodness in the world had gone with them.
Mother Teresa and Princess Diana had such an effect on the public because they reminded us of the people in our own lives that have touched us - the generous stranger in back of me in the checkout line who offers $3 when I come up short, the friend who gives a compliment that I didn't expect. These marvelous people make my day, and even my life, seem a little brighter.
At times when I lose a tennis match and my grandmas still cheer their hearts out for me, it makes me think about how wonderful it is to have someone supporting you. It changes the feeling of failure to a feeling of success. These people are heroes in their own right.
You do not have to be a princess or a saint to make a difference. Sometimes it is the everyday people - us - who end up making the most impact on people's lives. When we read about the great deeds of Diana or Mother Teresa, we are in awe. Imagine, these women started up from goals of feeding one hungry person or offering someone comfort, and built worldwide charities with thousands of volunteers.
Small goals, such as picking up some of the trash in a local park or donating old clothes to a homeless shelter, will make a big difference if we all work together.
We are all inspired by Princess Diana and Mother Teresa. Through them we see the true spirit of compassion, to offer love, kindness and hope to others. The lessons that we have learned from these women can be brought into our everyday lives. All we need to do is open our hearts and minds to carry on in their tradition.