Princess Diana's Bahamas vacation home is up for sale in the news

In August of 1993, I was heading to Paradise Island with my Mother to celebrate my 29th Birthday with my Step-Father. He was a Captain of a yacht, living at Hurricane Hole Marina about six months out of the year since 1988. My Mom flew down to be with him every weekend on Friday nights after work and I flew down every month or so. It was not uncommon to see celebrities while flying to Nassau from Orlando. In fact, my Mother flew several times with Sean Connery when he would be heading home after filming movies such as Indiana Jones, The Hunt for Red October, Medicine Man, Robin Hood, The Rock and many more. Sean’s greeting to my Mom was “Well Hello!” in his familiar Scottish brogue. On this August night, it was clear someone extra special was joining us, we tried to guess who it might be – I had previously run into Ryan O’Neal and Farrah Fawcett, Eddie Murphy and family, Shaquille O’Neal. Security was tight, something rare back then and you could feel the energy. We boarded the plane, sitting in the 2nd row past First Class, once everyone was settled, another group boarded. Four men took the seats in front us, standing guard. I was able to peek past and there she was – Princess Diana cradling a sleeping 8 years old Prince Harry with Prince William at her side! I had been fascinated with her from the moment the engagement to Prince Charles was announced and watched their wedding. I was incredibly touched at the sight of a loving Mother with her children. She was so attentive and loving to her boys.  I wanted to take a photo so badly but I did not. No photo is needed as I can still see the image in my mind. This happened during a time in history when she wasn’t harassed by paparazzi as much, she was given respect and privacy – something I wish had continued her entire life. She might still be alive if that had taken place.