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| Jack got good grades and went into politics, so he didn't have to go on the force |
Our President died young and died horribly. Dr. King died horribly. Our President's brother died horribly. Bad guys got badder. The world just stopped, and even after everyone stopped crying, things were never quite on track. Three of my five boy cousins died young. Neither of the remaining two became President, nor did I nor did my sister.
As an adult, you hear things that are not mentioned in front of children, you analyze history, facts, results in a way that children do not know. But not today, not this day, not now.
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| yes, he was a handsome lad |
At this time of year, I bristle at things I might otherwise let go. I quiver when people speak disrespectfully of our elected officials, because I learned early on that disrespect leads to contempt and contempt can lead to terrifying tragedy. I know that we are entitled to express disagreement, and, especially at the state and municipal level, disagreement is often most accurately expressed with laughter. At the federal level, things are much more serious, and this calls for reason and cooperation, not contempt.
Defenceless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.
In tragedy, I learned to pray for the President when I was quite young. Today in hope I pray for another president and his family, and I pray for peace. It's what we do in our family - we love one another.
The possibility that a family could be torn by such an event, that this could happen at all, this is what I remember realizing in my innocence. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeletelovely post. And the Kennedys were (and are) perfection in their imperfections and their desire to serve.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Fred. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Fred. I've been thinking about it all day, 50 years... and If Only.
ReplyDeleteSpot on, Fred. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteAll of the above and more.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressed.
ReplyDeleteYes beautifully written post about an iconic but very real family who were represented hope and a wondrous joy to America.
ReplyDeleteQuote:
ReplyDeleteAt the federal level, things are much more serious, and this calls for reason and cooperation, not contempt.
When a president lies to the public he shows a profound lack of respect, contempt if you will, for the electorate and he cannot command respect for himself or the office he holds. Things are much more serious indeed.
Which president are you referring to?
DeleteThanks Fred for this lovely post. I remember hearing the news, I was living in England and it seemed so far away but so overwhelming. Little did I know at the time I would come to live in America as child and again as an adult. As DaniDP said…If Only we will never know.
ReplyDelete