being born a kennedy, and for as long as i can remember, i always assumed that the other kennedys were just cousins who lived out east. when the killing of jfk happened, 50 years ago, i had just turned 6, only 4 days before. i was in first grade and i remember being called in from recess and all of the adults were crying. that was the day i found out that i was not actually a cousin, and that people could die from things other than being very, very old. it was one of those days when my world changed forever.
jfk and family – the ones who i thought to be my cousins
my kennedy family
The essential self is innocent, and when it tastes its own innocence knows that it lives forever. – John Updike
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I didn't have my glasses on.... 
I remember it well myself. That first grader’s perspective. I head the big TVs being wheeled down the hall and we were left, unattended, for quite a few minutes while all the commotion was going on in the halls.
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mm – yes, it is one of those days we’ll always remember.
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How remarkable that you still have that drawing and letter. I’ll bet your mom saved them.
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pied – yes i feel lucky to have them, i found them in my baby book when my mother passed away
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oh wow–chills. That’s beautiful, Beth. Thanks for sharing such heartfelt memories.
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liz – thanks )
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A beautiful post, Beth! Bless you and the family on this day…
Clayton
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ty clayton )
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My pleasure. Have a great weekend! Come back anytime…
Clayton
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Those of us old enough…
will remember exactly where we were when we learned about JFK… I was in Jr. High gym class in Mason , MI.
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deb -i think you’re very right
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Great post. I wasn’t there personally (September 11, 2001 is my generation’s “where were you when?” moment – I was in high school at the time), but the Kennedy legend is a significant one.
The letter is a touching one, and very impressive for a first-grader. I’m glad you’ve gotten past your over-reliance on hyphens, but I can see the makings of a future writer in that letter for sure.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Beth!
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dave – yes, 9/11 was one of those moments as well. and thanks for the writing comments, i was laughing when i saw the hyphens, think it was my way of making sure i had left spaces between words maybe?
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i like the hyphens – they give your beautiful little letter a sort of telegrammatic appeal – a bit like those rko movies with the tower and the funny buzzing lightening bolts – i imagine you in your bedroom shyly typing this out on your dad’s home made crystal radio and Madame Kennedy crying when she read it !
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thanks jenni, i think it was my sort of ‘urgent message’ approach to this communication. you are right, my version of a telegram.
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I hadn’t been born yet. But I recall my parents telling me about that day and what they were doing when the news came out. Terrible day for this nation.
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yes, it seems everyone was affected by it, whether they were alive at the time or not –
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