Nov22

kennedy on kennedy.

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jfk and family – the ones who i thought were my cousins

(a reblog from 10 years ago)

being born a kennedy, for as long as i can remember, i assumed that the other kennedys were just cousins who lived out east. when the killing of jfk happened, 50 years ago, (now 60 years), 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.

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my kennedy family

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“the essential self is innocent, and when it tastes its own innocence knows that it lives forever. “

-john updike

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84 responses »

  5. I was a young teacher of 5th graders that day. A student who had already tried my patience ran in from the playground shouting the sad news. Buddy was his name and I had good reason to never believe a word he said.

    There’s no moral to the story except that I switched to teaching 2nd graders for the next umpteen years.

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  12. I was ten when Kennedy was shot and was home from school. My mother, a staunch Republican, was in the living room on the couch, watching the news, crying. I was in shock because I had never seen her cry before. Now 60 years later, we remember him, a great man who gave his life for our country. Thanks for sharing this, Beth.

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  21. Having grown up in Mass, an hour and half from their place, as well as my aunt working in their home, I heard many stories and then through the years I watched their family name turn to disgrace. When I left Massachusetts in 74, at the age of 18 and being able to vote I headed north to New Hampshire and only voted Democrat once in all the years to follow. Funny how facts you learn young stay with you. I was also very young and at school and remember someone came into our class to tell us that the president had been shot, it was a very sad day and like today all we see are the images, being played over and over, until we must walk away from the tv or computer.

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  23. This is a special remembrance. I was a little too young to understand the significance of the Kennedy assassination, but it made an impression on me because it was the first time I recalled my parents being upset.

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  26. What a charming post, Beth. I’m glad you re-shared it. I remember that moment too, though I was only about 3. I remember sitting in the living room floor, in front of the TV, and all the television people crying. I didn’t understand much, but I knew something was profoundly wrong, and started to cry too. Then my father got mad at me for it — he wasn’t a fan.
    I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving. Hugs.

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  28. So many people talk about the loss of innocence that day. It was before my time, but my mom has similar stories to yours.

    On a side note, 11/22/63 is probably my favorite Stephen King book. Not his usual horror fare, but it’s a great page-turner that really makes you ponder Fate.

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  31. Such a touching letter, Beth. To tell from your words I can understand what an impact JFK’s death had on you. Just a few days ago, we watched the movie with Kevin Costner again. And again, it went deep!

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  36. That was a profound and sad day in our nation’s history. Your letter is so touching. Last evening I watched a documentary, narrated by Jane Pauley, about media coverage of the assassination and the aftermath. It was interesting to see how the media managed to cover this event back then…before immediate live coverage and digital cameras and cellphones and computers. Oh, and before reporters stopped smoking on-air.

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