Last night, I went to the 92nd Street Y to hear Caroline Kennedy speak about her new book based on conversations her mother recorded four months after the assasination of the President. Caroline was a great speaker, funnier than I expected, and more confident than what I've seen on television.
One of the most striking things she said last night was near the top of her remarks. Now that 50 years have passed since her father was inaugurated, she said that her familiy's legacy now is moving from a living memory to purely historical records. She wanted her mother's thoughts to be part of that history. A group of panelists followed Caroline, and it was a fascinating conversation about culture and politics.
I read the first chapter when I got home. Caroline wrote that she debated about releasing these interviews. She asked her children to read them, and as a family they decided it was best. She said her children wished though that their grandmother had revealed more about herself. Their time with her was too short for them to really know her.
So as I sat there last night, with Jackie's sister just a few rows in front of me, I couldn't help but think of my grandmother. I'm glad Mama Do sat me down in 1983 and told me all about the Kennedys. We watched hours of television during that 20th anniversary year, and she gave me her collections of books. She passed on her living memory to me, and now this book will sit perfectly with those.
Now. Being the dork that I am, I had no problem waiting in line to get Caroline's autograph. It was me and a bunch of old Jewish ladies. I didn't care. There was a long, long line. It actually moved really quickly. There were a lot of handlers. They told you what page she would sign. One worked the line. Two facilitated the autograph. And two security monsters loomed over the whole deal. I could tell I was only going to get the autograph, a hello, and a thank you. That was enough. Glad to have it.
The lady in front of me was nice enough until she approached Caroline. Then she revealed herself. Turns out she's one of those soft-core terrorists disguised as a 60 ++ year old woman who can derail the whole system simply by opening her mouth, refusing to shut up, and operating with no regard to anyone around her.
I know you've seen these women.
Turns out the lady submited a book to Jackie when she was an editor at Doubleday, and this lady wanted to know if Caroline would consider bringing it back because everyone needs her book on their shelf. Blah Blah Blah.
Caroline was pleasant and kept signing books. The handlers got annoyed with the lady. She kept talking, and as Caroline signed my book, the handlers asked me to move along. I complied.
Just a signature. No hello. No thank you.
Next time.