Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Memories and Reflections about the Kennedys and other stuff

Ever since the day that Teddy Kennedy died I have been having memories. When I was a little girl, Teddy and Bobby Kennedy both came to my small town. There was a parade, etc... This was before JFK died. He didn't come, but VP Johnson was here. I actually opened a door for Johnson, and he smiled at me and thanked me. My aunt had to tell me who he was. I had seen him on tv, but didn't expect to be so close.
A few years ago, one of my daughters and I were in the Boston airport. There sat Teddy Kennedy just like everyone else waiting on our plane! My daughter went over to him and spoke. He was so friendly to her, so I decided to speak to him, too. He gave us his autograph. I asked if he remembered coming to my town. He did. It was for a funeral of a very important dignitary. He was just as nice as could be. I hesitated to bother him, but he didn't act as if he felt bothered at all.
I will never forget the day when I was sitting in my 6th grade classroom and the intercom came on with a news report. We listened for the rest of the day about how JFK had been shot, etc.... It was a sad, sad time.
I personally think the Kennedys did so much for our country in so many ways. They were for the common people, even though they were anything but common themselves. They loved our country more than their lives. I truly believe this. It is so sad that their generation of their family is all gone except for one sister. I hope and pray that the younger members of their family will continue with the work that their aunts, uncles, mothers, and fathers began.
Following is a poem that I wrote following 9-11.

God's Grace

God's grace to me is given;
My deserving deeds are none.
He gives because He loves me,
Not for anything I've done.

The grace He gives calls me
To love those hard to adore.
Since He loves me with grace,
My love is so much more.

"God Bless America" is seen everywhere.
But, what about all the others
In countries where we're at war?
In God's eyes aren't they our brothers?

God loves and gives grace
To those around the world,
Not just to me and mine,
But to ALL, His grace unfurls.


I hope no one is offended by this poem or any of my remarks. I think the Kennedys saw the big picture. I do believe God loves us here in America, but not just us! I believe that God sees us from the inside out, not from the outside in the way we see people. I used to tell my students that we are all the same on the inside. "Our hair color, skin color, height, weight, etc... is different to keep us from being bored," is what I told them. I tried to love all of my students with the same amount of respect no matter who they were, who their parents were, or how smart they were, or how slow.
I know some of you don't like blogs that are supposed to be about sewing have a subject like this. However, in my statement at the heading of my blog I have written that this blog would not always be about any one subject. I respect your beliefs and hope you can respect mine. I just felt like I needed to write about the way I have been feeling.

4 comments:

Zep said...

Amen

I was talking to my daughter last week about the death of Uncle Teddy and how much he and his family did for us. We talked about civil right. She said "I just don't get it mommy, if you took our outer layer off, our skin, we are all the same. How come everyone doesn't see that? Out of the mouths of babes....

The best way to live is filling your heart with love for all. There by the grace of God go I...

Gail said...

I enjoyed this post Julia. I also have a special place in my heart for the Kennedys despite their foibles. I hope that Ted Kennedy is remembered for the good he did - and is doing if Mediaid gets through. America will never be the just and fair society it aspires to be without universal health care, a benefit Australians have had since the early 70s.

Unknown said...

Lovely poem Julia! It was a rainy day in Massachusetts and very fitting for the funeral.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. I think it's necessary to veer off topic as need be....your blog is yours and your work has yourself within it. I don't know of anyone who sews and only thinks of sewing.

Regardless of politics the Kennedy's worked hard for our country, and hopefully Caroline will continue to do so.

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