OPINION: I’m sad the queen died and no one else is

A Google search of Queen Elizabeth II framed by an alarm clock. Photo by Sikes.

Ren Sikes | Opinions Editor

Okay, don’t freak out. I know that she really isn’t the greatest person considering the fact that she tolerated the colonization and “whitening” of countless countries; no one here is denying any of that. 

I guess I am less upset she died, and more upset about the fact she died. Let me explain. 

The Queen of England was around my whole life, she was a constant, little old lady in her pink hat that I loved to look at. She reminded me of my great great aunt, Tante Maia who was also a little old lady who dressed like that. You know the style I am referring to. 

The hats, the opaque skin tone tights, short blocky heels and a skirt that goes to the ankles. Oh, and no one can forget the shoulder pads. 

Also, I didn’t exactly find out in the best way. I remember sitting on my couch, scrolling through TikTok when I found the update on the queen’s health on @matta_of_fact on TikTok. The queen was being kept comfortable in Balmoral. This TikTok was posted on September 8. 

Not even 15 minutes after I had seen the video, I was washing dishes and my sister texted me saying “Dude, Queen Elizabeth just died.” 

I was hysterical. What’s worse, the message was read by Siri through my Air Pods. So I was hit with the mechanical automated voice saying those words, followed by, “Would you like to respond.” 

What. The. Heck. 

2022 must have something against little old ladies reaching 100. First Betty White, now the Queen. 

I think the worst part about all of this, is that I am being hit with the terrifying realization that my childhood is swiftly ending. Time is passing, memories are fading, people are dying. I thought the Queen was going to live forever, genuinely. That was just a joke that I unconsciously decided was a fact. 

I have never been one to fear death, or the eventual end of the clock, but watching the things that were so consistent, so concrete in my life fade away like dust… it’s terrifying. 

Life is catching up with me, whether I like it or not, and my childhood is truly coming to an end. 

Everyone can have their opinion on the Queen, and decide for themselves what they think of the queen’s death. I will not stop you, I am sad for my own reasons. Nothing can replace this gaping hole in my heart where I feel my age and know that I am not a kid anymore. 

As the weather changes as abruptly as the queen died, I sit here reflecting on the inevitable fact of passing time. 

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