I used to make a joke when I was younger.
"Where was I when Kennedy was killed?"
"In
my crib," I would answer and I would laugh, partly because I was too
young to remember Kennedy but mostly because I couldn't understand how
so many people could be so upset by the death of one human being.
As
I got older I started to understand but not truely completely. I was
kind of embarrassed by the fact that I could remember where I was when
certain people died.
1. Elvis - I was watching my soap when a
special news bulletin came on and announced that Elvis was dead. His
death didn't really affect me but I had never seen a special news report
announcing such a thing. (this was back in the days when they actually
had to have news to use a breaking news report for those of you too
young to remember those days) The only breaking news report I ever saw
was when there was a chemical leak in Charleston WV. They activated the
emergency broadcast system for that one. (we lived about 60 miles away)
Elvis death affected me because I knew my parents would be devastated - especially my mom. She adored him.
2.
Princess Diana - I had just come home from work. I was walking from the
living room to the bedroom when they came on the tv and said he had
been killed. I kind of hoped it wasn't true when they said it but I
knew it was when they said that Prince Charles was flying to Paris to
bring her body home.
I hoped it wasn't true because I, like so
many others, recognized the good she was trying to do in the world.
Still I was kind of embarrassed that "I know where I was when..."
3.
Then 911 happened. I like all Americans spent the day weeping and in
disbelief that such an attack could happen in our country. Although I
had always wondered why they didn't.
But now my innocence was
lost. I felt the pain like everyone else did and I finally understood
what it was like for people who could remember when Kennedy died.
4.
Michael Jackson - I was at work and Makayla was runnning around telling
everyone he was dead. I thought it was another hoax. (I have heard he
was dead several times in my life) But within the hour I knew it was
true and I was sad. I grew up with Michael Jackson. We were the same
age.
Also, I thought it was hilarious in his "Thriller" days
becaue one of my stepdaughters was so in love with him that she was sure
she was going to marry him.
So
now I understand what all the hoopla is about when people talk about
the day Kennedy died. But I wish in a way, I still didn't.
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