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Friday, November 22, 2013

Fifty Years Ago

(Formidable Republican Opposition via The Rachel Maddow Fan Page/Facebook)

 

He was bigger than life, this President, yet his life was cut short.  Despite the extreme pain he lived with—which we had no clue about during his life—his joy and enthusiasm were contagious.  John F. Kennedy was very human, flawed as we all are.  Even so, his essence, his light was bright as his mind.  He made us all feel hopeful, optimistic about the future.  We could accomplish anything; everything was possible.

 

The day President Kennedy was killed, America's optimism seemed to die, as if it wanted to follow him to the grave.  We began to believe, in a different way, that "anything" was possible —if even an invincible President could be taken away in an instant.  That we can count on nothing.  His optimism had lifted us all up, inspired us.  We were shocked by his death, stunned.  We grieved, we wept.  We felt empathy for his widow, his family, and the country.   It should be noted that some Americans actually celebrated this President's death; it's been shocking somehow to be reminded of that.  So, some people  were as cynical and empathy free then as too many are today.

 

One change that has taken place since that horrific day in Dallas is the current empathy deficiency in America.  We had a short-lived sighting of empathy after 9/11, but the empathy that sad day generated took a back seat to our fears.  The lack of empathy for others, regardless of circumstances, is a tragedy in itself.  

 

I like the quote in the above photo and feel compelled to share a thought on this hero's words:  I hear what he said.  And I would say that today it's likely we miss much in life by living in the past or future— not being fully present in the unfolding moments.  That's where life happens, the only life we can count on—the present moment.

 

There will be numerous tributes commemorating this 50th anniversary of the JFK assassination.  I look forward to seeing them.  MSNBC is presenting three specials tonight; I'll be watching and checking in with PBS and other networks to see what they're doing.  My own tribute to President Kennedy will be to light a candle now and reflect on his light.  But a more meaningful tribute will be to appreciate and support, more energetically, the President we have now.  And I will pray for his continued health and safety.


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1 comment:

  1. DebbieNovember 22, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    Oh, I cannot do anything else but watch. MSNBC is all day today reflecting on Kennedy. I want to feel it all, because we loved him so much and we've never seen anyone else like him. His weaknesses paled in comparison to his strengths (which is probably why I was somewhat willing to forgive Clinton), His grasp of literature, poetry, and the arts made him so different from other presidents. He got it. He knew pain and suffering. He still believed in God, despite his suffering and knowledge. I've been struck by how many people interviewed in recent days say the same thing: that when he made eye contact, you felt you were the most important person of the moment. He was looking right at YOU! I saw him once for the briefest moment - his motorcade passed right by me as I stood on the street corner. They stopped for just a second, and he looked right at me - these people were exactly right. He was looking at ME. That tan, those blue eyes, those gorgeous white teeth - no photograph has ever done him justice - a real movie star! I will love him until my dying day.

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