Widow's Endorphins: Long Train of Thought On Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Set me as a seal upon your heart,

as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death,

passion fierce as the grave.

Its flashes are flashes of fire,

a raging flame.

Many waters cannot quench love,

neither can floods drown it.

- Song of Songs (8:6-7) from the Song of Solomon, in the Bible

Tomorrow is Victoria Day in Canada...a national holiday named in honour of Queen Victoria. We're the only country in the Commonwealth (including Mother England) that celebrates Victoria's birthday (we do it in style, with beer and BBQs). Today's blogpost is not about her...it's about the newest member of the Royal Family, the brilliant and beautiful Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle...and the power of love.

Meghan Markle is a powerful and inspiring woman...and always has been. When she was 12 years old, watching newscasts as part of a Social Studies project with classmates, she heard the words to a Proctor and Gamble dish detergent commercial that disturbed her: Women are fighting greasy pots and pans with Ivory Clear. She was "furious".

She handwrote letters to the President of Proctor and Gamble, then First Lady Hilary Clinton, and prominent lawyer, Gloria Allred. She wrote that the commercial's message was that only women do dishes. She said that the boys in her class agreed, saying, "Yeah, that's where women belong - in the kitchen". She later said that that "hurt" her feelings. "They're going to grow up thinking that boys are better than girls...that girls are less than them". In her letter, she writes, "I was wondering if you would be able to change your commercial to 'people'". Three months later, the commercial announced that people are fighting greasy pots and pans with Ivory Clear.

Interviewed on the news, the 12 year old Markle said, "If you see something that you don't like, or you are offended by on tv, or any other place, write letters, and send them to the right people...and we can really make a difference, not just for yourself, lots of other people."

The Victorians of Queen Victoria's day may have been shocked to see a young black bride, gracefully walking up the steps of St. George's chapel, towards her Prince, her sixteen foot bridal train being held up by John and Brian, the seven year old twin grandsons of former Canadian Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney - young, privileged, white boys dutifully serving the future Duchess. It was beautiful, and natural, and perfect.

As the New York Times reported, In a time of tribalism and separation, it was a clear move toward an integrated modern future from the oldest of houses. Seated directly opposite Queen Elizabeth II was Ms. Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, the descendant of slaves on plantations in the American South... One had the sense, that we were witnessing not only the intimate and emotional tears welling in the eyes of a proud Mother-of-the-Bride, we were also witnessing the tears of pride and triumph for a people who had been enslaved.

Inclusivity was embroidered in the lace of the bridal train. Flora from all 53 countries in the British Commonwealth were embroidered into the lace, along with the California Poppy, from Meghan Markle's home State, and Wintersweet, which grows on the grounds of Harry's beloved Kensington Palace.

Almost as long as the bridal train, was the passionate sermon from the Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, of Chicago. The presiding Bishop of the American Episcopal Church delivered a 14 minute sermon, unlike anything seen at a Royal wedding, with guests looking wide-eyed, shocked, stifling a laugh, annoyed and serene. The essence of what he had to say, is a universal truth:

There's power in love...there's a certain sense inwhich when you are loved, and you know it, when someone cares for you, and you know it, when you love and you show it, it actually feels right. There's something right about it.

There is something right about it. And there's a reason for it. It has to do with the source. We were made by a power of love, and our lives were meant - and are meant - to be lived in that love. That's why we are here.

Love can help and heal when nothing else can. Love can lift up and liberate for living when nothing else will. There's power in love to show us the way to live...When love is the way, we actually treat each other well...like we are actually a family.

As sunlight bathed Harry and Meghan, and the congregation, the voices of the British gospel choir, the Kingdom Choir, filled the chapel, as they sang American, Ben E. King's classic song, Stand By Me...

When the night has come

And the land is dark

And the moon is the only light we'll see

No I won't be afraid. No I won't be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me.