November 22, 1963

11/22/2008

I was twelve when JFK was assassinated.It was seventh period, and I was in Mr. Small's art class; my favorite class in a Junior High world that I hated. Mr. Small was the coolest guy,and he was sad; I think I may have seen a tear on his face. It was hot, and I walked home from school as quickly as I could; my mother the Republican was crying, and obviously had been for a while. Every image from that time is seared on my memory as we huddled around the TV and waited for the reassurance of Walter Cronkite's voice; the shooting of Oswald by Jack Ruby, JFK's funeral, Jackie in that bloodstained pink suit, John-John's salute, the Riderless Horse. People loved JFK because of what he offered; hope, change and his youth that reflected the youth and optimism of our country.
Our dark side is always expressed in blood and bullets.
I pray for you, President Obama; I pray for you, your family and our country.