I received this in an email from my mother, Barbara Tracy, otherwise known as MomHOP. She agreed to let me publish it as a guest post.
I just finished watching Ted Kennedy’s funeral, all 2 and a half hours, and will most likely watch the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.
I remember when President Kennedy died, how my father wept watching that funeral. The world stopped during that time. I was 11 in my first year at Our Lady of Victory School. What did I know at such a young age?
I remember when I told my mother that Bobby Kennedy had died, how she wept at the news. The world stopped again. I was 16 I think, at Sacred Heart. What did I know as a teenager?
Today it is my turn to weep at the passing of Ted Kennedy, for his family so lucky to have had him for as long as they did, for the impact he made on this country. The world has stopped again if only just for me. I am 57 and more knowledgeable now, more aware of the world, but what do I really know in my insulated life?
The great Kennedy era has passed, the myth of Camelot that my generation grew up knowing.
I’m sure you won’t be watching any of this on TV, but in the paper tomorrow (or online) read the eulogies given by Teddy Jr. and Patrick, and President Obama. Yo Yo Ma played some cello piece. The soprano Sandra somebody sang Ave Maria, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus sang during communion. And Ted left the church to America the Beautiful.
And what do I know, even as a 37-year-old “adult?”
A couple of weeks ago Nana told me she wept when President Kennedy died. I didn’t understand. Now I do. I have been mesmerized for days, watching the services and doing my own crying. Agreed, the era has passed. Sad.
That brought me to tears! Thank you for sharing.
I didn’t grow up in the Camelot era of optimism, but for some reason, I find Ted Kennedy’s death to be devastating. Perhaps it’s because it seems like he was the last of the idealists. I hope I’m wrong. I hope the current crop can persevere the current flogging they seem to be enduring, to remain true to their ideals as he remained true to his. Only time will tell.
Beautiful post–Thanks for sharing it!
Now I know where you get your writing skills from. Beautifully written, MomHOP!