Teddy, Teddy, Teddy
Posted: Thursday, August 27, 2009
by Patricia Barbee
http://www.patriciabarbee.com
Yes, I knew Massachusetts Senator Edward Moore Kennedy.
Had Mom not been so terrible, I never would have met Teddy.
Mom insisted on me attending all girls' schools in Boston. The girls' schools gave me "sisters". Mom did not want me to be distracted by the boys. It was study, study, study. My sainted Grandparents had a different strategy. It all boiled down to "keep the baby busy". I was always the baby.
I'd work better than some even six years older. I drove the teachers nuts, too.
How to keep me busy. Children's Theatre; dance; arts and crafts and studies.
Nana and Grandperé were well educated and were great museum, concert goers, and library visitors. Those were my outings with them. Nana also bribed quite well. Grandperé was the encourager and at times a participating imp for mischief.
Mom did not play their games. Mom was a "drug" Mother. Had I disobeyed, she would have "drug" me to wherever I needed to be to do whatever. Mom's Daniel Green leather slippers were also good for a swat on occasions. Nana never saw a swat.
While in high school I was attending the most prestigious art college in the world on Saturdays. I won that position. I did not know my art teacher had submitted my work to be juried. Mom was told of my honor before the teacher told me.
When prerequisites were met for the senior class, all were dismissed in April until graduation rehearsal in June. I could not leave school. I was too young. The guidance counselor had to get me a work permit to keep in my purse so I would not be grabbed by the police or truant officers. With permit in purse, I was still only old enough to drive.
Graduation was an ambivalent day. Many of the girls had cabins on the Cape and planned to party for a week. I had a cold and laryngitis. Mom took me home.
Days later, I was beginning a summer program at Suffolk University just behind the Capitol in Boston. I'd come out of the famous MTA and be on the Boston Common, climb the hill and see Teddy.
Over a period days, we'd meet at the same spot. We went from smiling and nodding to him mentioning my load of books and studies. Daily, I'd give him a minute synopsis.
At the end of the program, I was tired. Mom made sure I was off to another college.
Yes, I've been to quite a number. As long as I was in school Mom was happy.
Good grief! The day came when I got a great job with a Fortune 500 company. Mom was losing control.
The office was on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.
Winter came and part of my job was to make bank deposits. Even now, I am ga-ga at the amount of money I'd have on my person.
I'd leave our building to walk to the corner and hail a taxi. Who do I see standing on the corner by the Lahey Clinic but Teddy. It was as if we had not seen each other in a couple of days. He was taking therapy and would be awaiting his driver to bring around his vehicle. [This was after being in the plane crash with Senator Birch Bayh] I'd wait with him until his driver arrived, then hail my taxi.
We had another morning routine for a while.
I'd drop Teddy a note. He'd respond. I never was old enough to vote for Teddy when I lived home. Mom's words were always true, "You are only old enough to drive!"
Mom was happy when she got "her wedding" plans complete but she dropped dead six weeks before "her" day. We had her fabulous wedding.
We moved from my home to another state. I was still close enough to be back home to my "sisters" in about five hours, driving, when Darling was away on duty for a long time.
I'd drop Teddy a note. He'd respond.
When my Darling was KIA-Vietnam, in time I got a note from Teddy.
Teddy did not care about Capitol Hill protocol, to him I was still a Bostonian.
All but one note from Teddy have been put away until maybe one day to be viewed again.
The one note with envelope from Teddy is framed and is under the beautiful portrait of JFK with his head bowed which I have in my living room. I purchased the portrait in 2001 when I took time to inhale the beauty of the JFK Library.
I was home in Boston last May at a "sister's" residence when Teddy became ill. I stood vigil with all for Teddy's recovery.
Boston will always be home, though I nest in another state. Home no longer exists.
Darling's mortal remains are in Arlington National Cemetery. Three of the four brothers will be together forever on a hill there. At the foot of their site just below, if one knows to look for a huge bush, Darling rests. One day, my remains will be there.
Maybe Teddy and I, in spirit will wave at each other.
Patricia Barbee © 2009
Patricia Barbee
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Great article Patricia!I enjoyed reading this article. Thank you for writing and for sharing this piece of work.Best to you.Nenita
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