Remembering: 1963 - 2001

People and connections happen in my life all the time. The emotional connections with the US are very real.

*****

1963
I was 12 years old and in grade 7 when President Kennedy died. I immediately became interested in all things Kennedy related and this has stayed with me until today.

I did visit Washington and went to Arlington Cemetery and saw the eternal flame.

The picture book has mostly black and white pictures which is usual for that time. The event also lends itself to the lack of colour.

I was much aware when rereading William Manchester’s book of the people involved and how many shed tears. Maybe I did not notice this so much at my previous readings of the book.

The two children were so young but even so Caroline reached out to her mom a few times to comfort her. Of course there is the image of her and her mom kneeling by the coffin and Caroline reaching underneath to get closer. Then John Jr. saluting as they left the cathedral after the funeral mass.

There is an image in the video - found in all its parts on Youtube - where Jackie and Caroline and John Jr. and Robert are walking up the steps to the Capitol Building. Now Caroline is the only one in the group still alive - both her brother and her uncle died too young.


*****

1976
I was working in Ottawa and had just finished two years into my career. My dad had died a year earlier. In June I went on my first retreat - more about that in another posting.

Trips to the US have been part of my life as long as I can remember. The first trip was when I was two. The latest was with my sister and brother-in-law when we took a day trip for shopping and eating.

My mom and aunt took family trips to be seashore and at that time the trip took much longer. My mom’s sister and her husband always lived closer to the border. Now Kathi does in BC. She used to travel frequently across there but since the events of 2011 and more government red tape - that does not happen.

There is a wonderful coffee table book with pictures and stories about the Canadian American border. It was a gift from Canada for the US bicentennial in 1976. My copy had belonged to my mom.

One of the quotes in the book:
“Geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends.”
(John F. Kennedy)

*****

2001
My mom was still alive when this all happened. She was watching the television as everyone else was.


That is the book that was written about Canadian reaction after 9/11 and how we helped out our American neighbours. The 10th anniversary is coming up this year - where does the time go?


****

So I went to the Library of Congress catalogue to find the exact title except for the film which I found on the Internet Movie Database.


The death of a president, November 20-November 25, 1963, by William Manchester

Four days; the historical record of the death of President Kennedy, compiled by United Press International and American heritage magazine.

Four Days in November (1964 film)

Between friends = Entre amis / produced by the National Film Board of Canada, Still Photography Division.

A diary between friends.

So again we remember

Earlier this week - on Thursday January 20 to be exact - there was another Kennedy memorial date.

January 20, 1961 was his inauguration. I listened to his speech on the BBC News Web site.

I watched a remembrance of this day on the CBC News web site. Caroline Kennedy and other family members were in attendance. She is starting to look so much like her mother. She is 53 now.

There was a collector of Kennedy family pictures. There were some very nice ones of the two young children with their mom and dad.

So much time has passed since those days. In January 1961 I was in Grade 4.

Leaving the country

Yesterday we made a little trip to the U.S. - to show me some local scenery, to have a nice meal and to visit various shops. We drove through some uninteresting scenery and then we took a local road through the mountains. Then we were into a flat area with lots of farms and farm animals. We stopped for lunch at a very nice restaurant. I was paying. Then we went into various shops - Kathi and Cliff were comparing tire prices. Then we took the highway back home.

Did I have a feel for being in the U.S. and and Canada as different countries? Sort of. Life inside the U.S. seemed to be a little more worn. There were a number of closed businesses in the few communities we were in. Coming home felt comfortable. Canada is where I live.

I have had a lot of good experiences travelling south of the border. This one was sort of different because it was so short.

102 minutes

I watched a couple of programs about 9/11 including this very moving one. - 102 minutes. It was video taken during the day in New York with no more sound comments than what people were doing and feeling as they experienced the day first hand.

*****

Tower 1 - the North Tower - was hit at 8:46 a.m.

Tower 2 - the South Tower - was hit at 9:03 a.m.

Tower 2 fell at 9:59 a.m.

Tower 1 fell at 10:28 a.m.

*****

The web site I was reading for these details also told me:
7 buildings were destroyed.
15, 000 people were safely evacuated from the 2 towers.

*****

St. Paul’s Chapel and Trinity Church had a specific ministry to relief workers and others that continue to this day.

After September 11 2001

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

*****

I have a little prayer card with a picture like this. St. Paul’s Churchyard September 15, 2001 says the inscription.

It was given to me by the former rector at St. John’s who was visiting New York in early 2002 - Lent to be exact.

Kennedy brothers reunited

　
Last week I spent some time remembering Ted Kennedy. It was somewhat confusing as to know what to record on my PVR because the online guide did not provide this information. I managed.

Of course there was lots of information online. The family set up a nice web site. There was also Twitter search which was interesting. Most comments were very nice and I ignored the ones that were not.

I was directed to pictures of Ted and President Obama. They were all recent ones and Ted did not look too well which he was not.

Someone asked - since when do we celebrate when someone dies? I thought that is a good question.

I was remembering the funerals of his two brothers. I did not watch JFK’s in 1963. I did watch Bobby Kennedy’s in 1968 as I was finishing high school and studying for my final exams.

*****

I watched the memorial at the Kennedy Library in Boston. A long time ago I had given a small donation to the library and I have in my files a small note from Jackie Kennedy thanking me for my donation.

I was interested in hearing the younger generation speak. Caroline Kennedy spoke last at this event. I was impressed by how well she spoke.

At the funeral mass Rory Kennedy and Teddy Kennedy III were some of the new generation that shared in the prayers of the people. Rory Kennedy was born after her dad Bobby died in 1968.

Then the funeral procession moved on to Capitol Hill where Ted had worked for 47 years. There was a very emotional goodbye there.

Then it was on to Arlington National Cemetery. As we waited for the funeral procession to arrive CNN showed images from the funerals of JFK and RFK. The first was on a cold crisp November afternoon. The second was on a warm June evening and in fact it was so late that candles were used.

This time it was getting dark as the ceremonies had been delayed several hours. There was no provision for this so the cameras kept on showing lights where they were - particularly the eternal flame on JFK’s grave.

*****

It was a time of celebration and remembering Ted Kennedy and his two brothers.

There were various versions of Ted Kennedy’s words which could be found easily at Youtube and in other places. It sums up well what he and his brothers stood for.

The work goes on;
The hope still lives;
The cause endures and
The dream shall never die.

Rest in peace: Ted Kennedy

End of an era - now all four brothers are dead and only one sister from that generation is still alive. He died last night after a battle with cancer.

Television - the local view

I used to always watch the local CTV news but recently I have switched to the local CBC news. I often flip back and forth between the two channels.

Some years ago and now I read that it was in 1995 - there was a terrible situation at the local CTV station. When the sportscaster - Brian Smith - came out of the building he was shot and later died. Since his death a lot of money has been raised for worthy causes in his name.

****

The powers that be at Rogers Cable decided that the PBS station from Watertown New York should be replaced by the one from Detroit. The message was sent out that this was a final decision.

They did not count on local residents and a city councillor and the WPBS station itself having a say in this decision. A Facebook group was set up. The station has always got a lot of support - financial and otherwise - from their Canadian viewers. So Rogers had to reverse their decision and WPBS will remain on the local channel lineup.

Russian influences

I am planning to travel to foreign countries - the U.S. - and now I need to acquire a passport. I checked out my old ones that were filed away. One of the interesting border stamps was from Poker Creek Alaska - a very tiny place.

My mom were taking a tour through northern areas. We went to Dawson Creek and Whitehorse and Juneau Alaska. From there we took a cruise ship down the coast to Vancouver. It was beautiful scenery.

We stopped at Sitka Alaska where the Russian influence is visible in the buildings especially the churches. The Russians sold Alaska to the U.S. in 1867 - the same year Canada became a country.

*****

Many thousands of miles away my mom was with her cousin near the Finnish Russian border. My mom was interested in visiting Russia. When you look on a map the major border crossing city of Vaalimaa Finland is across from St. Petersburg. She asked her cousin about this but she said there was no way they would ever go to Russia. Finland is a small country and Russia is a large one. Finland was Russian for over 100 years. During WW II Finland was on the German side.

*****

On a related note I worked with someone whose background was Russian. When her mom died I went to the funeral. It was quite a different experience because the service was so unfamiliar.

Episcopal Church General Convention

When the Lambeth Conference was held last year I read several blogs about the event as it unfolded. This time I wanted some different information.

The main web site from the Convention from the Church has only text documents - sort of boring. There is a media hub with on demand and live video and links to other sources - including blogs.

I tried searching Twitter for ECGC - which is the tag that I found referenced somewhere else.

The Twitter postings are very short - picture of the poster; name of the poster; short text; link to a blog entry.

Do I learn about what is happening at the Convention as it happens?
Am I learning something about Twitter?
I think - yes in both cases.

If I had wanted to I could have shared in a virtual prayer service in Second Life for the Convention. That is a whole different world.　
　

The President comes to Ottawa

“President Kennedy is in "constant discomfort" as a result of a back strain suffered in a tree-planting ceremony in Ottawa last month.” New York Times - June 1961.

I think I read somewhere that after this time, the visiting head of state did not actually plant a tree - maybe just waved a shovel in its direction.

President Obama is coming to Ottawa this week. It will be a very quick visit. I do not think he will have time to plant a tree. Technically it would be quite difficult in this winter season in Ottawa.

Maybe Abracadabra and her horsy friends will be waving an American flag. She lives very close to the airport.

U.S. travels

Isn’t she cute? This was me in the summer of 1953 so I was just past 2 years old. We went to Maine.

There were other family trips to this part of New England. I do remember being introduced to certain foods which have continued to be favourites. On my first trip I had scrambled eggs for breakfast and as a nice touch parsley was added. I called it seashore flower. Then some years later when I was a preteen my parents were eating lobster for dinner. I was interested in trying some and I did. I quite liked it.

My latest trip to the U.S. was with my mom to Ithaca New York. We enjoyed the drive there and back. We stayed at a bed and breakfast. We enjoyed touring around the countryside and seeing the local sights.

Music at the inauguration

So where was I yesterday morning? Listening and watching President Obama's inaugaration.

I did like listening to the bands and the military marches that came after.

Aretha Franklin sang "My country tis of Thee." The CBC commentator mentioned that the tune is the same as "God save the Queen."

An aside to that matter I do not remember anyone singing "God save the King" in my lifetime but I was very young when Elizabeth II came to the throne. My mom told me a story that as a very young person I stood up for the first time when "God save the King" was being played on the radio. I expect this may be true as King George VI died on Wednesday, 6 February 1952. I would have been 10 months old at that time.

November 22, 1963

Are you old enough to remember this date in history?

*****
I was in Grade 7 at Lachute High School when I heard the news of his death. I had many vivid memories of what I felt about this time but they are not so vivid any more.

On my bookshelves I have several Kennedy related books. I even wrote a story that was never finished.

I have in my family history files a card from Jacqueline Kennedy thanking me for my donation to the Kennedy Library.

Many years ago my mom's sister took me on a trip to Washington and New York City. It was a highlight for me at that time that we caught a glimpse of Teddy Kennedy at work in the Senate.

I presume we went to Arlington National Cemetery. There are so many pictures of that place that I do not remember what I saw or what I remember from pictures.

*****

Now JFK's generation of the family is getting older.

RFK's widow - Ethel Kennedy is 80 years old now.

If you see pictures of Robert Kennedy Jr., he looks so much like his dad.

Remembering September 11: Call to prayer

Andrew is standing with Monica and Tess in the middle of New York City. It is a lovely early fall morning. They have just finished their breakfast and several cups of coffee - especially by one angel and you can imagine who.


Do you want to listen in on their conversation?


"Well, angel babies, here we are in the Big Apple and with absolutely nothing to do today. What a great day for a day off" is Tess’ remarks.


"I can certainly agree with you there. I do love New York. I love cities and I love walking around in them" answers Monica.


"There is always something else to see and do," answers Andrew. "I am sure that we can find plenty to entertain ourselves on this our first day off together in quite a long time."


So the three friends set off on their day’s adventures. They are walking and laughing and generally enjoying looking in shop windows and making comments about what they are seeing. It is a very relaxing time and they are taking their time. No one is in a hurry today.


Monica does enjoy looking up at the very tall buildings.


"Angel girl, you are going to get a crick in your neck from looking up like that," exclaims Tess.


"Andrew, do you know the name of those buildings right beside us?" asks Monica. Her knowledge of New York is somewhat limited.


"That is the World Trade Center," answers Andrew. "Monica, you do like looking up."


Tess joins in now, "You both do know of course that as angels we are always meant to look up?"


Suddenly Andrew stops in his tracks and sighs so deeply. Both Monica and Tess ask him the same question at exactly the same time. "What in heaven’s name is happening Andrew?"


Andrew answers them so quickly." I have to go. Something is going to happen here."


Just then Monica looks up again as she hears a plane fairly low overhead.
"Oh, Andrew," she cries out, but he is already gone.


Tess grabs Monica’s arm and they look in disbelief as the plane crashes into the side of the building. The smell and the noise are unbelievable, even for angels. They hold onto each other tightly and already they have begun to pray.


Monica questions Tess. "What are we supposed to do now? Are we supposed to be somewhere else and helping?"


Tess smiles gently at her angel friend. "No baby, we are supposed to stay right here and to pray."


The two angels hold onto each other and their prayers to the Father are fervent and tearful.


They stay grounded where they are for some time - although it is not really that long.


Monica eventually asks Tess, "Do you know how Andrew is doing?"


Tess’ answer is direct but gentle, "No baby, I do not."


*****


This time it is Tess’ ears that are alerted to the sound of a plane overhead and close by. "No, Father, this cannot be happening," is her earnest prayer.
But of course it does. Even the two angels are overwhelmed by the horror of it all.


"Should we be not be moving from this location?" Monica asks Tess.


"Yes, we should move, angel baby," is Tess’ rapid answer.


And so Monica and Tess are firmly seated on the roof of a nearby church - close enough to see what is going on and far enough away to be out of danger, but then of course, they never were in any danger.


In the confusion and the noise, they are above all this but they know the Father is close at hand. And so the two continue to pray.


Tess breaks in," Part of our job here, Monica, is to get others to pray as well."
So they ask the Father for that and it has already started, even as they ask.
Some time passes and the two angels continue to be rooted where they are.


*****


Suddenly Andrew appears beside them. He looks so sad and the both angels enfold him in the warmest hug they can manage.


Andrew can hardly talk about what he has seen. "There is so much more to come and very soon. I will be gone for a long time. Pray for my work as well, my dear friends."


With that comment, Andrew is gone.


*****


Some more time passes. The two angels continue to pray. Suddenly when they look up, they see that Gloria has come to join them. They share a warm hug for their fellow angel. Gloria says nothing, for her face says it all.


Just then there is a large crashing noise and one of the towers that was hit collapses. All three angels let out a collective sigh of disbelief. There are tears on their faces but their hearts are turned towards their Father in Heaven.
They are holding onto each other tightly when not too long after, the second tower collapses.


Tess response now is quick and to the point, " Angel babies, we need to be somewhere else. Come inside the church now with me." Neither Monica nor Gloria says anything.


The interior of the church is cool and surprisingly quiet. All three angels go quickly to the front of the church and each finds a candle to be lit.


Then they find a comfortable pew. "Yes, angel babies, we will be here for a long time," explains Tess.


*****


It is some hours later and still the angels are praying.


"Come, angel babies, I have some things I must tell you now," says Tess. They both look expectantly towards Tess. For her face looks no different than theirs - streaked with tears but glowing with the Father’s love.


"You know that there are many people praying right now - at home, alone, trapped in the debris, with others, in many places of prayer and worship and on the Internet. They are lifting up their hearts to the Father and that is good."
All Gloria and Monica can do is to nod their heads in agreement.


*****


And so the three angels continue together in prayer and many hours pass.
Just as suddenly as the last time, Andrew appears beside the three angels in the church. His face looks so sad but he is glowing with the Father’s love and presence.


All three of his friends hug him as warmly as possible. Andrew finally sits down beside Monica - his hand firmly held in hers. "My dear friends, I do not know that I can say anything about what I have had to do. All I know is that every angel of death that I have ever worked with has been called out. There are some situations that hang in the balance. Know for sure that the work that you are doing here is exactly what is needed. Now I have been given some time to rest. Keep on praying."


Without further ado, Andrew stretches out in the pew and puts his head down in Monica’s lap. Tess gently tucks him in with a warm blanket that has just been provided. Andrew quickly falls asleep with Monica gently stroking his hair.


*****


Many hours pass and the three angels continue in prayer. As the morning approaches, Andrew awakens and smiles at Monica. Just then Gloria has gone to light more candles and this time she finds four.


"Thank you, Gloria," says Andrew as he smiles his thanks. "I must go my dear friends. I have been much refreshed by this time to sleep - a real gift from the Father."


So with a quick hug for all three angels, Andrew is gone again.


The three continue in prayer. In their hearts they are much aware that they are not alone in this endeavour. They know that they are where they are supposed to be and so is Andrew.


*****


Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy
Christe eleison - Christ have mercy
Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy