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whatchamacallit

(15,558 posts)
53. I was 8 and have an indelible memory from that day
Thu Nov 22, 2012, 05:52 PM
Nov 2012

We had a housekeeper for a short period when both my parents were working. I believe her name was Betsy, and she was very sweet. 11/22/63, I got off the school bus, breezed through the front door, and the first thing I encountered was Betsy sitting on the fireplace stoop, weeping inconsolably. I froze in place and asked her what was wrong. She turned to me, tears streaming down her face, and choked out "Child, they killed the president". It was shocking to hear, but what really got me was the depth of her sorrow. I had never seen anyone that sad before. It was my first sense of how important JFK was to the nation.

How old were you when JFK killed [View all] nmbluesky Nov 2012 OP
one month before i was born...nt barnabas63 Nov 2012 #1
same here! we might share a birthday! unblock Nov 2012 #35
me 3 - well, a little over 2 weeks before I was born OriginalGeek Nov 2012 #61
I was 20. That was an earthshattering event. It changed my life. JDPriestly Nov 2012 #2
Same here, the age and the profound effect. JohnnyLib2 Nov 2012 #47
College freshman too, went home that weekend with friend, for 'Thanksgiving.' so also went elleng Nov 2012 #3
Seven. eom tledford Nov 2012 #4
Me too, had just turned 7 Freddie Nov 2012 #20
I had just turned 7 too. LeftInTX Nov 2012 #106
7 also. redwitch Nov 2012 #152
7 also Historic NY Nov 2012 #174
Another 7... marlakay Nov 2012 #219
Decades away from ever being born. Drunken Irishman Nov 2012 #5
I wasn't born vilify Nov 2012 #6
Me either... 1985 here. n/t Agschmid Nov 2012 #167
I had turned 10 Flashmann Nov 2012 #7
I was 6. Control-Z Nov 2012 #8
Your Post Touched Me HangOnKids Nov 2012 #164
Thank you, HangOnKids. Control-Z Nov 2012 #214
Of Course It Is HangOnKids Nov 2012 #215
aw Control-Z Skittles Nov 2012 #204
I was 13 underthematrix Nov 2012 #9
I was born on the 22nd and would be 13 soon. freshwest Nov 2012 #118
Negative 13, exactly. ArcticFox Nov 2012 #10
9th grade Betsy Ross Nov 2012 #11
5 PoliticalBiker Nov 2012 #12
Me too. no_hypocrisy Nov 2012 #115
Same here Canuckistanian Nov 2012 #149
I was 5 also. dog_lovin_dem Nov 2012 #158
1958 baby here too. Matariki Nov 2012 #196
17 years old oldhippydude Nov 2012 #13
Same here. Was walking across the quad between classes. Every one just stood around in a LoisB Nov 2012 #40
was worse for me oldhippydude Nov 2012 #60
Me, too. Blue_In_AK Nov 2012 #111
18, almost 19. frogmarch Nov 2012 #14
My aunt wad watching too. Jazzgirl Nov 2012 #129
12-yrs old, in vocal music class. They put the radio announcements over the intercom. txwhitedove Nov 2012 #15
I was 14.....and in choir..... gblady Nov 2012 #22
A few days shy of 6 months old. n/t RomneyLies Nov 2012 #16
9th grade. Had everyone go outside to commiserate. Hoyt Nov 2012 #17
My mum was 17 and in Haiti---JFK meant nothing to her. She was living through Papa Doc. n/t vaberella Nov 2012 #18
I was 15 yrs old. I was in study hall at high school. The principal came on the loud speaker and southernyankeebelle Nov 2012 #19
Just turned 19yrs old a couple of week earlier. Stellar Nov 2012 #21
Had Just Turned 8 A Couple Of Weeks Before... WillyT Nov 2012 #23
< 1 year old etherealtruth Nov 2012 #24
I was 1 1/2 and twenty days. eom BlueCaliDem Nov 2012 #25
9 Love Bug Nov 2012 #26
I had just turned 19 three days earlier. DURHAM D Nov 2012 #27
14. greatauntoftriplets Nov 2012 #28
Just turned 19, college sophomore. Jackpine Radical Nov 2012 #29
22 On leave from the marines. Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2012 #30
>conception Kalidurga Nov 2012 #31
About to turn 7. My earliest political memory was shaking JFK's hand at a rally in New Haven leveymg Nov 2012 #32
I was three Danmel Nov 2012 #33
I was 8 years old PrBelvr Nov 2012 #34
19 - was shooting pool byeya Nov 2012 #36
16. n/t rzemanfl Nov 2012 #37
Fifth grade. I remember our teacher Mrs. Murray breaking down in tears. Not Me Nov 2012 #38
Your Dad fuckng rocks. Contrast JFK (and the Kennedy family's tradition of coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #80
Not born yet nadinbrzezinski Nov 2012 #39
I was 4 Tx4obama Nov 2012 #41
Me too (4). I have no memories of it, naturally. But I do remember that coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #82
I remember watching the funeral procession with my grandmother... Tx4obama Nov 2012 #84
We had no TV at all when I was a child. I remember my Mom forced coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #95
8 catbyte Nov 2012 #42
My 15th Birthday HockeyMom Nov 2012 #43
It's my sister's birtday, too. Sugarcoated Nov 2012 #184
I was 26. northoftheborder Nov 2012 #44
wasn't born yet, but my parents were teenagers Panasonic Nov 2012 #45
Four, and his death is one of my earliest memories. City Lights Nov 2012 #46
Same with me. Kaleva Nov 2012 #89
I was in elementary school, but I remember that unusual day. Rhiannon12866 Nov 2012 #48
turned 10 ~3 weeks earlier magical thyme Nov 2012 #49
Same exactly with me & my birthday & grade, and we had a similar experience in class. We had just We People Nov 2012 #169
It was a Friday and I was 19 and hitch hiking home from college and got picked up by a trucker. PuppyBismark Nov 2012 #50
I had turned 18 earlier that month and was in the dentist chair dixiegrrrrl Nov 2012 #51
Your first paragraph reminds me of Don Delillo's "White Noise" for that coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #90
Well, thank you. dixiegrrrrl Nov 2012 #109
I wasn't born. nt aaaaaa5a Nov 2012 #52
I was 8 and have an indelible memory from that day whatchamacallit Nov 2012 #53
I was 19. I heard about it standing on a pier in San Diego. RC Nov 2012 #54
Fourteen. yellerpup Nov 2012 #55
I was 11 and remember that day like it was yesterday. LibDemAlways Nov 2012 #56
15 madamesilverspurs Nov 2012 #57
twenty -five. Cried for a week. watercolors Nov 2012 #58
14 longship Nov 2012 #59
Three months jberryhill Nov 2012 #62
5 yrs old. n/t ChazII Nov 2012 #63
19 1/2 years before I was born n/t NewsCenter28 Nov 2012 #64
This message was self-deleted by its author KatyAnn Nov 2012 #65
Wasn't born until 1970. n/t RiffRandell Nov 2012 #66
Me too NYFlip Nov 2012 #183
10 days old. Scruffy Rumbler Nov 2012 #67
I was fourteen. Went home at lunchtime, PDJane Nov 2012 #68
12 onethatcares Nov 2012 #69
12 here as well. Sitting in Mrs. Harris's 8th grade English class when we heard the news. 11 Bravo Nov 2012 #198
Eight years old Still Sensible Nov 2012 #70
I was 3 years old. UnrepentantLiberal Nov 2012 #71
5 greendog Nov 2012 #72
-7 ileus Nov 2012 #73
-6 dogknob Nov 2012 #211
I was 17 Silver Swan Nov 2012 #74
I was 23 years old. n/t RebelOne Nov 2012 #75
Sophomore at college. n/t RKP5637 Nov 2012 #76
One year, 10 months, give or take a few days. GoCubsGo Nov 2012 #77
20 HowHasItComeToThis Nov 2012 #78
I had just seen him live the day before. broiles Nov 2012 #79
Did you live in Houston? Blue_In_AK Nov 2012 #120
No San Antonio, Brooks AFB School of Aerospace Medicine. broiles Nov 2012 #209
10..... ProudProgressiveNow Nov 2012 #81
4 - my earliest memories are of his funeral liberal N proud Nov 2012 #83
12, and I remember every moment vividly. Faygo Kid Nov 2012 #85
I was 8 Mojorabbit Nov 2012 #86
10 flor-de-jasmim Nov 2012 #87
My birthday is November 21st, dinger130 Nov 2012 #88
Two months shy of 4 but Brewinblue Nov 2012 #91
I was 18 years old. Lugnut Nov 2012 #92
I was seven years old, and I will never forget the shock. John1956PA Nov 2012 #93
OT somewhat, but I'm not really sure that news was appropriate to put on coalition_unwilling Nov 2012 #98
That's what they did back then. That's how I heard it. LeftInTX Nov 2012 #113
There was no such thing as grief counselors back then. Chemisse Nov 2012 #135
5 years old but I saw him MFM008 Nov 2012 #94
14 months Demonaut Nov 2012 #96
I voted for him. It was the first time I voted. lob1 Nov 2012 #97
I was 5 years old. Riley18 Nov 2012 #99
9 Douglas Carpenter Nov 2012 #100
I was 7, living in Mexico, and did not speak a word of English Xipe Totec Nov 2012 #101
He got shot 2 days after my 14th birthday graywarrior Nov 2012 #102
I was 11 in history class left is right Nov 2012 #103
Two and a half yo. madinmaryland Nov 2012 #104
I was five years old, a couple of weeks from my 6th birthday. Louisiana1976 Nov 2012 #105
4 months & 22 days? Eom liberalmuse Nov 2012 #107
Not even the proverbial twinkle in daddy's eye JHB Nov 2012 #108
I was 17, a senior in high school. Blue_In_AK Nov 2012 #110
I was 7, and this is what I heard and saw .... Trajan Nov 2012 #112
I was conceived the month JFK was killed. He was still a big ChisolmTrailDem Nov 2012 #114
I am a month older than you and learning about JFK and beac Nov 2012 #128
11½ MichaelSoE Nov 2012 #116
Two years old MrScorpio Nov 2012 #117
I was 4 cheriemedium59 Nov 2012 #119
I was 7. n/t arthritisR_US Nov 2012 #121
5 Years Old kevinmc Nov 2012 #122
9. I remember it vividly. Jazzgirl Nov 2012 #123
I was twenty three and at work. My roommate called me up to tell Cleita Nov 2012 #124
I was 4 and WOW there are alot of us baby boomers on D.U.! cheriemedium59 Nov 2012 #125
20 dipsydoodle Nov 2012 #126
I was 22. murray hill farm Nov 2012 #127
I was in the 4th grade. Walk away Nov 2012 #130
3 days before my 13th birthday.. It was tragic and devasting & I remember like it was yesterday. whathehell Nov 2012 #131
2 years 4 months nt LVdem Nov 2012 #132
I was 9. I remember my fourth grade teacher cried when she announced the news. Chemisse Nov 2012 #133
I was 8 and in 2nd greade. MarianJack Nov 2012 #134
16 newfie11 Nov 2012 #136
I was 29. I recall almost every thing that was on the news that day as though it happened ladjf Nov 2012 #137
My Daddy hadn't even met my Mommy yet, so I wasn't even a gleam in his eye. nt LaydeeBug Nov 2012 #138
I was 21 and home in our tiny apartment with my corneliamcgillicutty Nov 2012 #139
11 virgdem Nov 2012 #140
Me, too. DOB 9/18/52 louis c Nov 2012 #212
My Mom was pregnant with me get the red out Nov 2012 #141
10 Carolina Nov 2012 #142
Almost 14 union_maid Nov 2012 #143
9 n/t shanti Nov 2012 #144
13 SteveG Nov 2012 #145
About 11 months old. TXDemoGal Nov 2012 #146
19. In the barracks in San Antonio, ironing my dress blue shirts. nt Speck Tater Nov 2012 #147
I was fifteen. murielm99 Nov 2012 #148
Iwas 16 GeorgeGist Nov 2012 #150
14 and in 9th grade Drafting class.... jdadd Nov 2012 #151
Just turned 22. U.S. Army, Ft. Gordon, GA Graybeard Nov 2012 #153
born on this day (5 years afterwards) chloes1 Nov 2012 #154
16, in the crowded hallway at school. Not a funny joke, I thought. Went into chemistry class... Hekate Nov 2012 #155
Thanks, Hekate, for your lovely words. whathehell Nov 2012 #193
2.7829667032967033 BlueMan Votes Nov 2012 #156
Three. nt ncgrits Nov 2012 #157
12 pinto Nov 2012 #159
11. In sixth grade in Kansas. kaiden Nov 2012 #160
Five Zoeisright Nov 2012 #161
That's my exact memory as well. No cartoons. greendog Nov 2012 #199
11 in 5th grade Danville, CA (by SF) Montair Elementary PufPuf23 Nov 2012 #162
I Was 8 Years Old WiffenPoof Nov 2012 #163
A month from turning 7. HooptieWagon Nov 2012 #165
6 Months /nt demwing Nov 2012 #166
I was 14 living in Ft Worth 30 miles away from where it happened. DuckBurp Nov 2012 #168
1 year before was born. R. Daneel Olivaw Nov 2012 #170
13--I heard the news in eighth grade math class Lydia Leftcoast Nov 2012 #171
I was 7 in the second grade the principal announced it over the pa system. The sister told us to put kimbutgar Nov 2012 #172
12. Warren Stupidity Nov 2012 #173
I was 10 Irishonly Nov 2012 #175
Four month before I was born tandot Nov 2012 #176
8 Tumbulu Nov 2012 #177
Ten years old Neutrino_603 Nov 2012 #178
I was 8 Le Taz Hot Nov 2012 #179
I was -26.5 years and 9 days old when JFK was killed. Jamaal510 Nov 2012 #180
2. Iggo Nov 2012 #181
I had just turned 11 in Sept. 63 ashling Nov 2012 #182
"The President is dead." came over the loudspeaker in my elementary school class. Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #185
1 Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #186
8 years old, fourth grade. Manifestor_of_Light Nov 2012 #187
My partner was being born in OKC. Behind the Aegis Nov 2012 #188
7 months me b zola Nov 2012 #189
15 in my PE locker room in SoCal DiehardLiberal Nov 2012 #190
22 years old and a brand new dad tularetom Nov 2012 #191
I have a slight birthday connection... susanna Nov 2012 #192
Nine years old susanr516 Nov 2012 #194
First grade, 5yo Matariki Nov 2012 #195
7. mmonk Nov 2012 #197
13. Paladin Nov 2012 #200
10 proud2BlibKansan Nov 2012 #201
I was 15 Sekhmets Daughter Nov 2012 #202
18 kskiska Nov 2012 #203
9 years old and in 5th grade, Mrs. Bertha Cahoon... MrMickeysMom Nov 2012 #205
11, and I knew LBJ DollarBillHines Nov 2012 #206
I was -4 cherish44 Nov 2012 #207
58 H2O Man Nov 2012 #208
I'm impressed. bluedigger Nov 2012 #217
Negative 3 years DearHeart Nov 2012 #210
I was minus 17 years and 4 months. nt Terra Alta Nov 2012 #213
I was 6 - I had seen him the day before in Houston TexasBushwhacker Nov 2012 #216
new to dallas johnsolaris Nov 2012 #218
If I remember right, I was 93 years old. Kablooie Nov 2012 #220
He was killed on my 9th birthday. Skidmore Nov 2012 #221
16 Months Old Science Geek Nov 2012 #222
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