John F. Kennedy

Tonight I'm spending the evening in front of The History Channel watching all of the JFK programs, completely enraptured.

I'm a child of Massachusetts, so of course I revere the Kennedys. Have done so all my life. But I was less than two month old when the President was assassinated on that grim day in Dallas, yet mysteriously I have such a deep reaction to it.

Why?

I think about this a lot. Those of you who know me well (and even those who don't) know that I'm almost obsessed with this iconic family. I watch and read everything I can about them. I cried real tears while watching Ted Kennedy's funeral. I mark November 22 ever year as if it were a personal event.

In some ways, I think it's simply because of where I grew up. JFK's portrait adorned every classroom that I can recall from grade school. I have memories of my great-aunt Kathy, at every upheaval in the news during my childhood, remarking vehemently, "I'm going to write to Senator Kennedy." And she did. We knew the Kennedys were for us. All of us.

More than that, though, I think they represent to me a family who, despite their difficulties, are a CLOSE family. Not to get too deeply into my youth, I did not have that. Also, my beloved grandfather shared the love of Cape Cod with the Kennedys. I remember being on my grandfather's lobster boat and viewing the Kennedy compound in Hyannisport from the Atlantic. It was a normal part of my life.

So today I am riveted by all things Kennedy. Yes, they have their flaws. But I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Camelot.