Saturday, August 29, 2009
A rare moment of nostalgia...indulge me!
I just spent the last two hours watching, mesmerized, the mass for Teddy Tennedy. It was extraordinary. It brought the Kennedys into focus once again, both through the lens of Greek tragedy and the enormous strength of family to overcome adversary. The amazing resilience, the incredible life of Teddy Kennedy and his family, this family basically as close to American royalty as it is possible to get. Ted Kennedy Jr's eulogy was not only moving in the Kennedy context, but in everyman's context. The universal agreement that his life transcended politics ...who would have thunk it?...because of who he was as an individual, with both his weaknesses and strengths front and center, is impressive. Even Obama refrained from politics!
It was especially moving for me, daughter of immigrants, and one who, like so many millions, owes her core identity to the United States and the melting pot it is. I remember how much my father loved Franklin Roosevelt, and also how he was bowled over by Truman's win over Dewey, something he often talked about.
I remember seeing Jack Kennedy speak at UCLA and how sexy we all thought he was, who cared about his politics? I cast my first vote for president for him. After that it was all about the Kennedys...I remember hearing about Jack's assasination while at the beach in Venezuela and thinking it was a cruel joke.... I remember Bobby being gunned down at the old Ambassador Hotel in LA... and who could forget Jackie? And the lump that John's death provoked in my throat ... in a small plane, what memories that brought! Unlike my sister, he was found, but there is always that moment of deja vu. En fin, despite having lived most of my life outside of the US, the Kennedys were all pervasive. Not that I was always a great fan of Teddy's politics, but I never forgot he was a Kennedy. Just as those who attended his funeral mass today in Boston.
When Teddy was carried out of church for the last time and his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and political but not personal foes, all joined in singing America the Beautiful I felt much more than a lump, I felt uplifted and extraordinarily grateful to be a citizen of the United States of America!
Amazing, isn't it, after having lived for so long in Latin America to still have that sense of patriotism instilled as a child by a father who worshipped Roosevelt!
God bless America...!
