50 Years

50 years ago, John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas, Texas. Unlike most people alive that day, I can’t recall where I was or what I was doing. I was only 5 years old at the time. My family must have talked about it, because I knew it had happened. All remember is that my brother, Steven and I were playing once. I was President Kennedy and he was Lee Harvey Oswald. I didn't want to die, so I hid under a bed sheet and Steven pointed a finger or toy gun at me. I remember Steven telling me that sheet was no protection against a gun.

Although, it’s been 50 years, I still find that John F. Kennedy has an impact on me. Maybe it is because I share a birthday with him. But then I share a birthday with Bob Hope and that impact isn't there. Most of my family (extended and immediate) is hard core Republican. So why do I check out most of the stories about Jack Kennedy and sometimes his family? I think that maybe as a child I was touched by the tragedy. And maybe his sudden death had an impact on me.