The Kennedy's

When I was in 3rd grade my family went to Washington DC for our annual vacation. A few years before going I saw the movie Forrest Gump, and I really loved the part where Forrest is speaking in front of the Lincoln Memorial and Jenny, dressed in her hippie ensemble, calls out to him and, you know, treads through the Reflecting Pool. It just melts my heart; I still watch it on repeat. Well that, combined with my absolute excitement of getting to go inside the White House had me nearly peeing my pants for like 2 months leading up to the trip. I remember I got so into the whole President thing; I was just in awe of them. So, I use to go to the local Thomas Ford Library and for hours upon hours I would just look at books about the presidents. When it was finally time to go on the trip, I had memorized all the presidents names, what number they were, their wives names, and their children's names. I was a FREAK. Of course, just about all that information has gone bye bye.

But anyway, that brings me to the Kennedy's. The Kennedy's are one of those families that remind me of the olden days (and by the olden days, I mean the days I wasn't even alive for. Sighhhhh. The glory days that I was meant to experience but didn't due to that whole not being born yet factor). Whenever I read about the Kennedy's, learn about them, or see pictures of them, I think of my mom. Ya know, I think they were best friends; as if she and Caroline use to be buds and play hopscotch together. If only.

My mom always use to tell me how much she loved this poem that was printed in the newspaper the day after JFK died. It was written by Candy Geer, a 15-year-old high school student. I haven't thought about it in a long time, but recently I saw an article about JFK online and so I looked up the poem. I was in the quiet section of the library and started....crying. I don't know why, but it just made me really sad.

Six White Horses

Six white horses came today

to take my Daddy far away.

Mommy said I must be good

and stand as big as Daddy would.

And now I'm big so I won't cry

when I see my Daddy wave goodbye,

'cause Daddy is my special friend

he always comes back soon again.

I cannot wave, I don't see why,

there's just a black box moving by.

But Mommy says I should be still,

I'm a big boy now, and so I will.

I hear some drums, they're awful loud,

but Mommy is sad and so's the crowd.

And everybody's dressed in black,

but Daddy soon will hurry back.

We're going to take a walk to mass

then maybe I'll see my Daddy pass.

I wonder why we're only three,

he always comes to church with me.

Two men are talking, I can see,

they said they're very proud of me.

They said my Daddy's in that box,

that black one with six gold locks.

I have on a big boy's suit

and now it's my turn to salute.

I do it just like big boys do,

because I have to be one too.

They're going to stop, and then just leave,

but in that box, how can he breathe?

Though I do not understand,

there's Mommy here to hold my hand.

He's going to leave and not come home!

We just can't leave him here alone.

I want to hear him laugh and say,

"John-John, come here so we can play."

I don't see Daddy anywhere,

I want to cry and I don't care.

He's in the ground, he cannot be,

he should be right here holding me.

But Mommy says I must be good,

so I'll stand as Daddy would.

- Candy Geer, 1963

Caroline and John John

Oh and for old times sake....