I was absent from school that day. I forget the reason, but whatever it was, it was unique to me. All my siblings went to school. I was ten years old.
My mother had gone next door to visit with her friend, and the friend's four year old son had come over to watch TV with me. I remember being on the couch, and "Jimmy" was on the floor in front of the TV when the program we were watching was interrupted with a bulletin.
I reacted like any other ten year old would. I got up off the couch and went to change the channel, only to find that every station was airing the bulletin.
In that instant, I remember feeling annoyed, upset almost, because I wanted to watch TV and all the channels weren't working. But before I had a chance to process that information, I was pushed away from the TV. I looked up and saw my mother, her hands over her mouth as she stared at the TV.
It was November 22, 1963.
Read More