Minute Message  : Retained or Lost

Publication Date : 7/20/96



	It is apparently a done deal. Prince Charles and Princess

Diana are going their separate ways. One news account stated that

it won't even be necessary for the couple to appear in court. 



	I was interested in how the media reported the results of

the final settlement. On one side was a list of things Diana

retained or gained and on the other side was a list of what she

lost. All of them had to do with the tangible things such as

money, apartment, visitation rights and the like.



	If we could look into the hearts of this woman, I wonder if

those things would rate that high with her. There are things

money cannot buy or replace. Things such as companionship. She

will no doubt have a number of people claiming loyalty to her,

but as we have already seen, sometimes friendship last only as

long as the person can extract from the other.



	Then, there is the family. She apparently will have the

visitation rights to her sons, but that is not a family. Granted,

this was not a "normal" family. However, what she did have now is

gone.



	I think we could list a number of other things that you

would not find on a "Retain/Gain" or "Lost" list. The affects of

divorce cannot be regulated to a simple "You Get/I Get." LIves

are affected, and sometimes the scars never heal.



	Will I see you tomorrow?



Norman Russell

2761 Broadway

North Bend, Oregon USA  97459