Coming home from the pool this morning, I was thinking back to John F. Kennedy's death. Everyone remembers where they were, when he was killed. I was working at St. Joseph's hospital in Elgin, Illinois. We had just returned to our physical therapy department from lunch when the hospital Priest, Father Pierkowski, came running in to the room.He told us what had happened. His quarters were right next to our department and he asked if we would like to come in and watch his TV. There were the three of us, Father and the pharmacist standing and watching this tragedy unfold. After hearing that he was indeed dead, Father put on his vestments and we followed him into the little chapel across the hall. Some of the Nuns were already there, kneeling. We all prayed in our own way and this little chapel was used all of the day by people just dropping in. We went home early. I didn't drive in those days, so I was taking one bus and transferring to another . Everywhere I went, people were talking in hushed voices. It seemed that the world stopped for a little while that day. People talked to strangers and it seemed that we all needed a hug. It's one day that I'll never forget.
Balisha
