and heard the name Kennedy since I was a child that another unbearable tragedy, the death of John F. Kennedy's granddaughter, Tatiana, so moved me.
I followed John F. Kennedy's exciting candidacy for the presidency as a young teen, thrilled to think a young, handsome U.S. senator from my state could become president. I remember a classmate who supported Nixon's candidacy and I kept up a friendly competition to see whose chosen candidate would win -- we were both too young to vote. When JFK won, my family and I were thrilled. I'd been used to seeing Dwight D. Eisenhower as a young child on television, and thought only old men could be presidents, but now JFK would make US history as the youngest president ever elected.
The brief Kennedy years were an exciting time for us Bostonians, and I followed his presidency the way other young teens followed movie stars in the then popular Hollywood gossip magazine, Photoplay.
Then unimagined tragedy hit us all in the gut on November 22, 1963, when our beloved JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. In my mind, I can still see that famous photo of Mrs. Kennedy and her two young children, Caroline and John, standing on the steps of the White House waiting for President Kennedy's funeral procession to arrive. My parents, my brother, and I wept as we watched the horse-drawn caisson carry his casket to Arlington Cemetery to be placed beneath the Eternal Flame.
As the years passed, we watched Caroline and John grow into fine young adults. But tragedy was never far away. Our former First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, passed away in 1994 at the young age of 64, and five years later, the unthinkable happed again when John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife, and his sister-in-law were killed when his plane went down off the coast of Martha's Vineyard in July of 1999.
And now, the unendurable news of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg's daughter and JFK's granddaughter's passing at the age of 35, leaving behind her husband, George, her 3-year-old son, and her 1-year-old daughter, her father, Edwin, her sister, Rose, and her brother, Jack.
We mourn with them in the loss of this intelligent, accomplished, beautiful, gentle woman.
Her passing reminded me of how far back my family appreciated and supported her grandfather, John F. Kennedy. We found this letter from him to my father after my father passed away. I treasure it:
Wisdom and compassion inseparable is the the guiding light for humanity. But only if one chooses to to be illuminated by its light
ReplyDeleteNice Shaw... My sister in law has a handwritten like to her mom from then President Ike. Hand signed as well.
ReplyDeleteShaw,
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed a treasure, as was your father. My parents voted for Kennedy, too.
My first vote would be against Nixon as well. When he won twice I began to realize Americans would have a long history of making poor decisions.
Little did I comprehend just how terribly wrong they would be at the worst times.
I don't think anyone could have envisioned what the American people (not the majority, BTW) would choose to lead our country. I still struggle to believe what we're living through.
DeleteAnd like the crude psychopath that he is, Trump responded to JFK's granddaughter's untimely death with this:
DeleteTrump elevates social media posts attacking the Kennedys as family mourns cancer death of JFK’s 35-year-old granddaughter
President Donald Trump reacts to death of journalist Tatiana Schlossberg from blood cancer by posting screenshots of criticism of her famous political family
"But rather than pay tribute to the deceased or express condolences to her grieving family, the president fired out three posts consisting of screenshots of negative comments about the Kennedys’ supposed neglect of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the performing arts venue Trump has taken over this year and rebranded the “Trump Kennedy Center.”
Delete"Tatiana’s family, including her mother Caroline Kennedy and husband George Moran, had stood together throughout her treatment, their public statements reflecting both profound grief and gratitude for the support of communities across generations. In moments like these — where loss intersects with legacy — what resonates most is not division, but the collective remembrance of a life lived with intention, a reminder that beyond noise and noise makers, the human heart seeks connection, solace and the enduring power of shared stories. Tatiana’s words and work remain a testament to that truth, a lasting counterweight to the fleeting rush of the moment.”
ReplyDeleteIn true form trump showed his lack of any class even third.
ReplyDeleteThe kennedys have had a checkered past which has carried them through decades of misfortune. A bootlegger who made his fortune selling illegal liquor and gained political power by buying political influence. Two brothers who were cheating with the same women which rumor has it caused her suicide. Another brother who allowed a women to drown while he did nothing but worm his way out of it.
If social media was alive back then the family would be on every page, except this one.
It is tragic what had befallen the entire family and wonder what RFK, jr will do with cancer research which is a disease to profitable to fail.
What does your comment have to do with Caroline Kennedy and her daughter's tragic death? You felt compelled to repeat Kennedy history, which we already knew, to do what? Taint Caroline's and her family's pain? I don't understand what dredging up the past Kennedy tragedies is meant to do in this post.
DeleteIt's almost as though you cannot acknowledge that Caroline Kennedy and her family, while sharing the Kennedy name, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH JFK's or Ted Kennedy's past bad behaviors.
Did you bring it up just to be cruel? I don't understand why you found it necessary to post it. A plain and heartfelt "condolences to Tatiana's family" would have been decent and enough.
PS. Have you ever researched Donald Trump's family history? Ever? Google can be your best friend.
Happy New Year.
I wonder why ole skud didn't include RFK Jr in his list to remind us how we all are human and subject to human error. But then the wondering stopped as the realization of why unfolded.
ReplyDeleteCons must make it political WHENEVER they sense an opportunity to to stick it to the libtards. Regardless the tastelessness of their comment.
Neither Trump and many of his supporters know how or care to show grace. The simmering hate in MAGA and the "Christian" Nationalist community is tearing this nation apart and it looks more and more like Project 2025 and Trumpism will be around a very long while. Working their anti America anti liberty agenda.
In fairness Les, we all make way too much political. We've left the benefit of the doubt, if you don't have something good to say don't say anything at all and we're all in this together behind.
DeleteAnd I don't know how we change that in what is now a supercharged atmosphere driven by anger, assuredness and a lack of grace.
Few apologize, few really accept the brotherhood of man and the golden rule is now so tarnished we barely recognize it.
President Trump has stated he does not believe in much of what I've posted above. Especially apologizing. That single trait is perhaps the biggest takeaway for his base and they've put it on steroids.
I don't get it.
We all get stuff wrong, we all go overboard. I know for myself and I've seen in Shaw too, when we get it wrong, we try to acknowledge that and apologize if we've offended others.
But not everyone, even here, believes those are useful characteristics in life. Just like not everyone believes it is a common courtesy to offer condolences to people in the middle of a loss or a time of grieving.
The Kennedy's have suffered untold tragedy in their lives. Some self caused. Cancer is not among them. Decent people can understand that. People who are genuinely interested in bringing people together understand that.
Others, trying to score points, as our president and others frequently do in times of tragedy and loss, not so much.
I don't know why the grace gene in so many ppl seems to be permanently turned off.
It's certainly not good for, not will it ever "make America great again".
Trump doesn't believe in apologizing EVER! And recently we learned that he doesn't believe in forgiveness and wanting the best for his opponents.
DeleteAt the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, his widow said she forgave his killer. Trump was there and acknowledged Mrs. Kirk's words of forgiveness with this: "He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don't want the best for them. I'm sorry. I am sorry Erika."
I've stated this so many times in the past, and Trump reinforces my opinion at times when human decency is called for during a tragedy: Trump doesn't have a molecule of human decency in his entire body. Never has; never will. I've never said that about any other living human being.
Ms. Shaw, You made it about how wonderful the kennedys are and I pointed out some of their checkered past by a few of the clan.
DeleteIf he was alive today I doubt he would have been a leftist but more of a centrist. He was more about governing for all the people not just his chosen special interest groups.
I totally disagree with rosemarie on her opinion of Boston. Great city with a history going back to the beginning of the country.
And of course the enlightened one missed "I wonder why ole skud didn't include RFK Jr in his list to remind us". I'll try to learn Tibetan so he can follow.
"Ms. Shaw, You made it about how wonderful the kennedys are..."
DeleteActually, skud, the post was about how, since I grew up in and around Boston, the name, Kennedy, was always a part of my life. The post is about how following their lives affected me -- their triumphs and their tragedies. I explained why this most recent devastation for their family touched me.
Instead of seeing it as merely a meditation on how a Bostonian felt about yet another tragic loss of life of another Kennedy, you apparently saw it as a post about how wonderful the Kennedys were/are. You, therefore, missed the entire point of the post.
I, and many who read this blog, certainly know the faults and failures of this famous family. One of them is the current head of HHS! This post was not the time to bring that subject into discussion.
Tatiana's death is a tragedy that hit me hard, maybe because I've lived through so many other Kennedy deaths; maybe because it reminded me of a young woman in my family -- a young mother -- who lost her life to cancer too soon and too tragically. Maybe because I feel some guilt for having survived cancer 6 times and young Tatiana did not. I don't know. I just know it pierced my heart to hear that news.
Yes Dave, you 're points are true. And until Americans start acting like Gurmukhs rather than Manmukhs , to use a term from Sikhism not much will change.
ReplyDeleteUntil the great majority of society learns to put their ego to sleep and see the interconnectedness, unity, and oneness of existence and life the train of illusion and delusion continues.
Jesus, the Buddha, Allah, God, are all waiting in their formless state for humankind to realize the true reality. A reality the ego, attachments, aversions, greed etc prevents a great many from seeing.
Being “Raised” in Boston makes you automatically a loser.
ReplyDeleteMassachusetts/Boston is the smartest/most educated state, the wealthiest, the state with the best health care and high rates of health insurance coverage, and high test scores for students. Massachusetts is among the states with the lowest divorce rates, teen pregnancies, gun violence and deaths. It ranks among the best states for quality of life issues.
ReplyDeleteMassachusetts consistently ranks very high, often in the top 1-3 spots, as one of the nation's healthiest states or for having the best overall health system performance, due to excellent health insurance coverage, access, affordability, low infant and maternal mortality, and high vaccination rates.
Massachusetts is one of the safest states in the country, per study. How safe is Massachusetts? According to a new study, it's one of the safest states in the country.
High Rise Financial, a legal funding company, analyzed FBI data of ten types of violent crime to determine which states are the safest, and Massachusetts took the No. 3 spot.
Massachusetts Ranked Best State Economy in the Country
Latest national ranking from WalletHub gives Massachusetts top marks for its investments in innovation, research and education
Dear Rosemarie,
It is not a crime to be ignorant, only if you stay that way.
Learn about the great state of Massachusetts and the City of Boston. It will enlighten you and help you live a more meaningful life.
We're not perfect; we have our problems (housing is very expensive), but we're doing our best, as you can see from the facts that I presented to you.
Happy New Year!
Poor Rosemarie.
DeleteShe won't read your kind and thoughtful response, Shaw. She just needed a dopamine hit by expressing her ignorance, scorn, and bigotry.
After all, "winners" like her "don't need no stinkin' facts".
Happy New Year my fellow interwebz travelers. I hope this finds you warm, fed, and with enough to do to keep you from the boredom which frequents this time of year (the between Xmas and NY). At least if the meme's and posts I've read are any indication boredom is an issue. Not for me as whenever I say I'm bored the Universe steps in and says "Hey, have I got a task for you!.
ReplyDeleteBut that's not the point of the post. No, the point is another tragic death of a wonderful intelligent and loving person to a disease that kills. Sometimes folks survive but they are never the same again. Everything cancer touches changes. Everything.
I've never had a cancer diagnosis but I've mentioned the late husband who lost his war with cancer around this time of year. It is my most sincere hope that Tatiana's family are able to incorporate her passing in a meaningful and positive way for Christmases to come. I'd do the same but... right now I'm surviving, not thriving. Perhaps when thriving isn't a novel experience.
I see skud is skud. Manners skud are the saving grace of civilization. In studying Japan from back in the day their insane (to me) manners and ceremonies were created out of a culture of might makes right which is great if you are the only might in town. In a country of everyone is mighty politeness becomes the battlefield with best manners and expressions of generosity how one wins this war.
skud might want to do some studying.
LOL What am I thinking? skud study? Manners??? OH the cat is grumpy because I'm writing and laughing and his food bowl just ran empty. EMPTY he tells me.
Sending loves to you all, including the Kennedy family here/now.
And, for the record? CANCER SUCKS
that is all
Thank you, Grey, for you comment, observations, and good wishes. Yes, cancer sucks. I've dealt with it 6 times.
DeleteLet's hope 2026 is not as traumatic as 2025 has been.
Cheers to you and your companion, Cat!
Grey... two thoughts. Yes, cancer sucks. I lost a brother just a few days ago to it.
ReplyDeleteThen, on manners... years ago I was at a conference and the speaker was Tony Campolo. He posited that there was not much difference between the Germans and the Brits during WWII.
Both of them he said, could not stand the Jews. But the Brits, being people with manners, could not bring them themselves to reach for the "final solution" that the Germans did.
Good manners, in his mind, helped you not do the horrible things your mind or attitude wanted you to do.
Think about it. We all see people who are ungracious. People who push themselves to the front of the line. People who frequently use coarse language. People who call others names and speak ill of the dead.
Outside of the pure psychopaths, have you ever met, or seen a well mannered person doing any of the above?
Be well Grey... and thanks for your post.
Death is a transitional state from life to life. As tragic and heartbreaking the loss of life is for those who remain the creative energy responsible for the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth continues on. Life is divine energy and matter; and energy and matter are never destroyed. They simply change to different states. Form to formless or formed to form. Spirituality is understanding the true nature of reality and becoming one with it.
ReplyDelete