Thought For The Day: Friday 9th September 2022

On the evening of Thursday 8th September 2022, Buckingham Palace announced: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.” Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was ninety-six years old. Queen Elizabeth reigned for seventy years and seven months and two days. Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

Queen Elizabeth was twenty-five years of age when she became Queen on the sudden death of her father. Prime Minister Winston Churchill had a tear in his eye as he greeted her. “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service”, said Elizabeth, four years before she became Queen.

Queen Elizabeth II lived out this promise to perfection. Throughout her life, Inspired by her Christian faith, Queen Elizabeth encapsulated the values of duty, devotion, service, selflessness, resilience, integrity, wisdom, grace, good humour, gentleness, kindness, forgiveness, empathy, respect, inclusivity, community, morality, honesty, humility and true goodness.

“Change has become a constant. Managing it has become an expanding discipline. The way we embrace it defines our future”, Queen Elizabeth once said. In her reign, and in her life, Queen Elizabeth II saw, and adapted to, so many changes, advances and challenges, that have influenced all at every level. In an era of immense and extraordinary progress and massive social change, it was most appropriate this truly extraordinary leader beyond words was a woman. Queen Elizabeth II spoke for the UK and Commonwealth and always found the right words and actions, as this tribute moving articulated https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-46523387. The Queen was, and is, greatly respected throughout the world.

Queen Elizabeth’s leadership was committed, constant, caring, compassionate and ceaseless. Queen Elizabeth welcomed her fifteenth Prime Minister, Mrs. Truss, on Tuesday. In the global pandemic, Queen Elizabeth led by example, inspiring and leading the nation with the words “We will meet again” and Queen Elizabeth sat on her own, socially distanced, at her husband’s funeral last year. Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II was the “strength and stay” to everyone Queen Elizabeth said her late husband, who we hope she is now with, was to her.

“Thank you Ma’am, for everything”, as Queen’s Elizabeth’s guest, in the drama Queen Elizabeth recorded for the Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, said.

The deepest thoughts and prayers of TBSHS are with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her son, His Majesty King Charles III, and the family. The union flag at TBSHS was lowered to half-mast yesterday evening.

We support, and help, one another in very challenging times. We are all here for one another if we need to talk and share.

In our life, those we love, and those who inspire us, are always with us, always guide us and always inspire us. We are beyond grateful for everything they gave, hope to see them again one day and continue their legacy in our lives now and always.