Anyone born in the
United States before 1958 or so likely remembers where they were and how they
heard the news on that fateful day in November of 1963. As an eleven year old
girl, I was not especially interested in politics, although I do remember being
in awe of those two adorable little children running around the White House in
their perfect clothes. How could anyone not love that good-looking and
photogenic family? I was in the sixth grade at Grandview Elementary School,
which was so close to our house that we kids were able to walk there. I
remember the principal, who was a woman who seemed quite old to me but was
probably not even 50, came into our classroom looking as if she had been
crying, and very somberly sat down and told us that President Kennedy had been
shot and killed. If memory serves, school was dismissed shortly after the
announcement and we all went home. I have only fuzzy memories of the days that
followed.
Less than three
months later, on February 9th of 1964, the Beatles gave their first
live television performance on a variety program called “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
When I look back, it’s difficult for me to believe that these two events were
so close in time. They feel like light years apart. Part of the reason may be
that time passes differently as a child than as an adult; after all, three
months is a much larger proportion of the life of an almost-12-year-old than of
someone over 60.
Looking back on those
two events, I have to admit that, at the time, the Beatles seemed far more
important than the goings-on in Washington and far-away places. But now, much
as I love music, noting the anniversaries of these two events in rather close
proximity seems jolting to me. How could we have seemingly forgotten the assassination
and moved on to such mundane things so quickly?
The adjustments to personal
hardships may well be quite different for adults than for children. Again and
again you hear about children who survive a cancer diagnosis and treatment and
quickly return to normal, happy, lives. But most adults who go through this are
left changed physically, mentally, or emotionally, and the road ahead, which
may be an entirely different road than the one on which they had been
travelling, is a little less straightforward. The best I can advise is to crank
up the Beatles’ music and keep on dancing for as long as you can!
To that end, I’ve had
a lot of nice time with the children during this week here in Sharon. The one thing
I had somehow forgotten to pack is my camera, and yesterday, as I wanted to
take a video of Eliana and Maya singing a song and doing a dance together, I
discovered a problem with my Galaxy Note. It turned out to be that there was no
room left in the memory, which I presume is in no way related to my own memory
issues. This afternoon I moved all the pictures and little videos off of the
device so now I will be able to use it again.
We have a full
weekend ahead. Ella is coming over tonight for dinner and a sleep-over.
Tomorrow we have friends coming for lunch, and on Sunday the ten of us are
going to a local production of The Wizard of Oz in which one of Simmie’s Hebrew
School students is performing. It is being presented by a group called the
Un-Common Theater Company. Here is some information from their website:
Founded in 1980, The Un-Common Theatre Company is dedicated
to producing quality productions performed by aspiring young actors, singers
and musicians and supported by aspiring young technicians. We are one of the
few children's theatre companies in New England that provides an opportunity to
work under the guidance of theatre professionals and perform in professional
theater houses.
Our fall show kicks off our season and is our Fall Family Production (November) with a cast of all ages. Past shows have included kids, young adults, parents and even grandparents! It has been a fantastic way for young and old to learn from one another and encourage cross-generational mentoring relationships.
The only downside to
this weekend is that on Sunday a cold front is due to move in, leaving the
temperatures well below freezing. Whenever this weather comes it is too soon
for me! The only upside I can see is that Barry bought me a beautiful wool
scarf when he was in the UK last month, and now I will finally have a chance to
wear it.
Stay warm and have a great
weekend!
Love,
Rebecca
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