46 years ago

I watched another elaborate funeral cortege. I was four years old and remember clearly watching, with my mother on b/w television the funeral march of John F. Kennedy. Later my parents gave me a book called Four Days, about the assassination, hospitalization, viewing and funeral of our late President.

For years I was fascinated with this picture book, with JFK Jr. saluting the casket and the First Lady and Caroline praying by it. It is very sad that they lost Bobby five years later, and “Uncle Teddy” had to pick up the slack. He did a remarkable job in the Senate and I only wished I lived in MA today as regular folks lined up along the streets and to walk by his casket.

I appreciate the way these memorials are being done. His duty was to the people of a small New England state but he served the nation and the world through his works. I don’t envy the Kennedys for having the wherewithal to dispatch any family member, President or Senator, with seeming ease because they know and can choreograph the motions by heart. That in itself is heartbreaking.

This is going to be a tough weekend for a lot of constituents and people across the country and world who respect Senator Kennedy and care about him, his wife and family. What Senator Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy and family members have done is a tribute to what he has done for all of us. I can only blog it, not walk by his casket but I would if I could because it is the end of an era.

It is my hope that the Mass. legislature passes a bill allowing a temporary Senator to provide the state with full representation in the US Senate and that an election is held in the statutory framework. My choice will remain private. The sheer number of people who want to pay tribute tells one something about the man, despite his human frailties. Rest in peace, Senator. Dee