Remembering Kennedy

I had originally planned to post a fab five list today, recapping what's been going on with this blogger since updates have been few and far between lately. But posting meaningless fodder just didn't feel right. Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love presidential history and President John F. Kennedy in particular. Today, many Americans, myself included, will pause for a moment of reflection over their noon hour, and think about what might have been if three shots weren't fired in Dallas that day.

I think my fascination with JFK began somewhere around the 25th anniversary of the assassination. That would have been in 1988, putting me around 9 years old. Old enough to realize this was something important in our nation's history. I remember watching news programs with my mom and listening to her recollections about that day. She said she was in kindergarten and class was dismissed early because of the shooting. She remembers going home in tears and telling my grandma that "they killed President Kennedy!" It surprises me that as young as she was when it happened, she remembers where she was and what she was doing. Perhaps it's because back then, the president was considered the most powerful person in the world and bad things just didn't happen to the president. Many historians say our country lost its innocence that day. I believe I agree with that. Back then, things seemed more carefree and innocent than what we deal with today. I am not a political analysis by any means, but Kennedy's quote, "ask not what your country can do for your, ask what you can do for your country," seems like it carries as much weight today as it did during his inaugural address.

One of the most poignant themes I've picked up these past few days is that many rank Kennedy as one of our greatest presidents. I really can't say that I agree or disagree, as my interest lies in the kind of people our presidents were, not their policy making or diplomatic skills. But my question is this: would Kennedy still have received all of these accolades had he not been assassinated? Would he still be considered one of the political greats had he finished his term out and was re-elected in '64? Sadly, we'll never know the answer.

Now, I think that I should have known that he was magic all along. I did know it — but I should have guessed that it would be too much to ask to grow old with and see our children grow up together. So now, he is a legend when he would have preferred to be a man.

-Jacqueline Kennedy