Compassion

I am no anglophile and do not follow the British Royal family, but I am sorry to see even the NY Times piling on in poor Charles and Camilla's seeming inability to get a break. Those who read tea leaves would have seen something other than bad luck in Charles' being the only European at the Pope's funeral to be tricked into shaking hands with Zimbabwe's dreadful Dictator/President. But now Charles and Camilla are married. Can we not hope this 35 year odyssey may at last provide them some comfort?

Having done my share of stumbling through life, taking some lumps I deserved, I am grateful that advancing age has provided me with some wisdom and happiness that in my earlier days seemed beyond reach. Life can be tough even for the rich and well born, and only the most mean spirited would not wish the aging newly weds well. I understand the anger of those who feel Diana was sacrificed to the appetites of British royalty. That may be a just sense.

But the sorrow that both Camilla and Charles have known, some certainly self-inflicted, some not, can perhaps now, at least in part, be countered by having a companion as they grow old together.

At least I hope that for them.