Book Review: Times to Remember (by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy - mother of JFK, 1974)

“This book is dedicated to my daughter Rosemary and others like her – retarded in mind but blessed in spirit. My vision is a world where mental retardation will be overcome, where we no longer mourn with mothers of retarded children, but exult and rejoice with parents of healthy, happy youngsters. Then, and only then, can we say, in the words of St. Paul: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.” (Rose Kennedy)

Rose Kennedy chose to write her autobiography despite what she described as “millions upon millions” of words which had already been written about her family. She decided to tell her story herself, from the viewpoint of a mother. She described the “mountain of print” already written about the Kennedy’s as “flawed by inaccuracies, misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and the worst has been mendacious and deceitful or even totally untrue stories that sound like pulp fiction and are often confused with history.” She says that she “tried for years to ignore everything, from the honest errors to the pure trash.”

This delightful account is defended by personal letters, the Kennedy children’s writings, journal entries (both her own and those of others related to her), and photographs.

Rose reveals her aspirations for her children and how she worked to equip them with the best tools of success amid the world of influence and politics. She describes, as only a mother can do, the unique personalities and plans of each child.

Mrs. Rose Kennedy- "In a family, all the children are different. The oldest boys usually take more responsibility than the others. Bring up the oldest ones the way you want them all to go. If the oldest ones come in and say good night to their parents or say their prayers in the morning, the younger ones think that's probably a good thing to do, and they will do it."
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Although the life of this great lady was marked with multiple tragedies, she professes her devout love of God throughout her stories. Of her nine children, four of them had sudden, unexpected deaths at relatively young ages. The oldest child (Joe, jr.), was a U.S. Navy pilot. He was killed at the young age of 29, while on a bombing mission during WWII. Less than a month after the death of Joe, jr., Rose’s son-in-law (husband of Kathleen) also died at war at age 26. Four years later her daughter Kathleen died in a plane crash. She was also still in her twenties.

Then, of course, two of Rose’s sons were assassinated.

In spite of her turbulent life, Rose lived to write this story (which was written while she was in her eighties), and unbelievably, she lived to be 104 years old.

I enjoyed reading this book because it’s a mother’s story, and I’m a mom. Her love and the grace she showed to family in all situations is refreshing in this time of political ugliness and mudslinging. I was also struck by reading her dedication to the book in which she states her hope for better understandings about mental retardation (above). This is a desire which is still being voiced today, by her grandson Bobby (RFK, jr.) Her influence is still being seen on the United Stage political scene. This is certainly a timely read.

Meg Rayborn Dawson, MA

Univ. of W. Florida (Exceptional Student Education)