The year John was born:

An embargo on tobacco and fruits from Cuba ordered by President Kennedy  goes into effect.

The Cubin missile crisis begins in April and runs through October. It was a difficult year to bring a child into the world as the country stood at the brink of war.

The first Walmart opens.

James Meredith becomes the first African-American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi on September 30th, 1962.

Marilyn Monroe serenades President Kennedy on his birthday.

The US Navy SEALS are created on January 1st as the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force, the special force was in existance prior dating back to World War II when the Navy "Scouts and Raiders" was formed.

 Yearly Inflation Rate USA 1.20%
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 652
Average Cost of new house $12,500.00 Average Income per year $5,556.00 Average monthly rent $110.00 per month Tuition to Harvard University $1,520.00 All Wheel Drive Scout off road $2,150.00 Renault Imported car $1,395.00 Average Cost of a new car $3,125.00 Eggs per dozen 32 cents Gas per Gallon 28 cents
Average House Price 2,950 New Ford Cortina 591

HOLDING YOU

IN OUR HEARTS

UNTIL WE SEE YOU AGAIN

As we walked I could hear you pointing things out to me,

things about the trees and the different kinds of woods

It was difficult to focus at first so many thoughts

came rushing through my mind

about things I wanted to say to you but

I felt jittery

unable to focus

until I realized I was

running from something

so I paused 

In the space between the thoughts

there was a  block of pain I could not move past

so I just stayed with it

Things began to unravel

Things about myself

things that were hurtful for me to reflect upon

and then I remembered that despite what you

had been through in your life

you always had compassion for me

which struck me terribly hard

as I recognized

 all the relationship moments

between us

of course the one's where I am not at my best

all rolled in like a tidal wave of flashbacks

playing out where and when compassion was missing

So caught up in the "me" of it all

I lost sight of you

I stopped and asked for your forgiveness

recognizing how cruel I must have

seemed and felt to you

and what came to me in a whisper

 between the snowflakes falling between us

was that I did not have to ask for forgiveness

I said a silent prayer

in appreciation and for my sins

and wrote "Forever Missed," in the snow

recognizing that there are mistakes that

can never be taken back

and there are apologies

that will never be

heard

and I was filled with a knowing

that I would be

walking the rest of the way back home alone

It was time to let go

not of you,

of the unforgiving, uncompassionate me.

You will be FOREVER MISSED and FOREVER LOVED

xoxo

K

The day my brother John was born there was a great deal of excitement in our home.  My Mom gave birth to three daughters before her first son arrived and when John came the cigars were flowing.  I remember my father's joy and how happy my Uncle Kenny and he were the day my brother John was christened.  John had platinum blonde hair, blue eyes and the most amazing dimples.  I remember thinking; "He must be special because God gave those dimples to him."  My Mom handed John to me to feed during the party and I remember feeling so proud to be given that responsibility.  John looked up at me as I gave him his bottle so happy and grateful to be eating.  His tiny, pinky, touched my hand and I remember thinking how much I loved him in that moment.  My brother John had the face of an angel and the heart of a peaceful warrior.