What do you see when you look at the pictures?

Both pictures were taken in the sixties, both are of a grieving widow with small children at the funeral of their husband. One was famous, surrounded by photographers and media , the other one only had a family member take a picture so that the little girl one day would know as she was kept away from everything that had to do with the death of her father and the funeral following and the grieve that came later.

In the sixties is was common to shelter children and keep them away from many things happening in life and around death. Over time we learned that it is ok to let children if they want be part of it, at their own level, appropriate for their age. Most children have this natural curiosity and want will ask you questions when you let them. A lot of times it is our own discomfort that prevents us from being there with an open mind and heart to truly listen and pick up at the signals. There are many books and other resources out there that can help.

To get back to the pictures,

JFK 's children, age 3 and 6 , were told by the nanny that their dad passed away ( the death of a president by William Manchester).

The other girl, age 3, I have no idea who told her that her dad was killed in a car accident. She was kept away from everything and if it was not for the picture, taken on the evening of the funeral, she would not know she was there. Maybe that's why she wants to make a difference in how we deal with death because that little girl is me.