“Its completely natural for her sons to be so private about their mother.
Its a challenge we all have to face at some point in our lives.”
“I welcomed her at the airport.
Hidajet Delic/AP Photo
She was a champion in the truest sense of the word… She was all in.
Marching step-and-step, arm-in-arm, with survivors… She walked her talk.”
“Even the U.K. ambassador didnt know she was coming… “Some of our hosts begged me to tell who the VIP guest would be.
Stefan Rousseau/AP Photo
Was it Bianca Jagger?
Was it Hillary Clinton?
It was intense to watch her absorb human pain.
Stefan Rousseau/AP Photo
Its all about the people.'
Diana repeated how it was simply important ‘to care enough to show up’ and be present.
Shed ask questions like, ‘c’mon tell me your story.
Stefan Rousseau/AP Photo
What happened to you?
How did you lose your leg?
Where did you find your courage and strength to survive?’
Ian Waldie/AP Photo
She invited hope by inquiring about each survivors dream for the future.
And she always made some side jokes to poke the tense air out of the bubble of tragedy.
Indiscriminate weapons are illegal.
Amel Emric/AP Photo
Landmines should be banned.
That was the rationale and purpose behind this photo op.”
It was never on the itinerary.
Amel Emric/AP Photo
‘Jerry, I have this feeling, this image of me in a cemetery, its strange.’
I watched as Diana took her place among hundreds of tombstones.
It was eerie, now that I reflect on it.
HIDAJET DELIC/AP Photo
She walked slowly, among tombstones and even yellow rosebushes.
She met a Bosnian mother tending to the grave of her son, grieving visibly.
Diana didnt speak Bosnian, and this mother didnt know English.
Amel Emric/AP Photo
So, they just embraced.
So intimately, so physical, so emotional, mother-to-mother.
It was vintage Diana, reaching out, wiping the mothers tears and cheeks.
Its the only framed photograph of Diana I still have in my home.
I dont know, but maybe, psychically, intuitively, Diana sensed she was going to die.
It still gives me chills when I recall this powerful, unscripted, unplanned moment, somehow prescient.”
We will never forget this trip or this moment.'
I saidabsolutely, yes.
And, thank you for making this visit so special.'"
