I always thought I'd  clearly remember exactly what I was doing when I heard that John F. Kennedy had been assassinated.  But over 46 years some of that clarity is gone….in fact until I see on the web that today is the anniversary – I do forget the date.

I had moved to Boston in September of 1963 and so much of that time is blurred anyway – new town, graduate school, new friends, etc.  But I have a vivid memory of walking to the bank in Kenmore Square – either after hearing he had been shot or after hearing he had died.

What I do recall of that day is having the thought that here the president is [shot/dead] and life goes on – I am walking to the bank, a rather mundane event.

…it was such as odd thought that it is what has stayed with me over these 46 years.

I've changed but too much else has not – like our political discussions and our inability to hold civil discourse.

President Obama is the first African-American to become the American leader and John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic president.  The fear mongering and nasty rhetoric was as prevalent in JFK's day as it is today. 

Some people can not accept change nor understand differences….it scares them.  And it seems their tactic is to then scare everyone else. 

46 years – so much has changed and so little has changed