JK's birthday party

[whometense]

I'll start this thread, since I'm sure a lot of the others slept late this morning, and a group of people are having breakfast together this morning. The birthday party last night at Symphony Hall was spectacular, corny Boston Pops schtick and all. Others can add more detail, but I'll sketch out a few things. We had wonderful seats on the left balcony way down front overlooking the stage, with a full view of JK and his table the entire time - JK, Teresa, Alexandra, Vanessa and her husband, Vicki Kennedy and her son, Deval Patrick, Ken Burns.

The last part of the program was undoubtedly the most moving - JK's band of brothers plus Max Cleland were all there, to JK's complete surprise.

The evening ended with JK being handed a specially inscribed baton, and invited to conduct the orchestra in a rousing "Stars and Stripes Forever." He dedicated the song to Teddy. Alexandra and Vanessa were laughing so hard and taking pictures as JK hammed it up, Teddy-style, on the podium. Vicki was both laughing and in tears. For me, seeing JK goofing around up there was a shining moment - a wonderful thing to see from such a serious man.

There's lots more to talk about, but others will chime in, I'm sure. It was great to see everyone, and to see how strong the bonds remain, 6 years on.

One more thing - when I got home last night and saw that Richard Holbrooke had died, I wondered if JK knew earlier in the evening, and had that weighing on him through the celebration. If so, he didn't show it. I'm hoping he didn't find out till later.

[MBS]

1. more later , I've got tons of work to do today but

1. Thanks for starting this thread, whometense!
2. Yes, these were all highlights for me, too, for just the reasons you said.
Re one of those highlights, JK's conducting: He started off by saying that Teddy Kennedy had always loved to do this. Then, just before turning around to raise his baton, he said, "THIS IS FOR TEDDY!" O8)
I didn't notice Alexandra's and Vanessa's laughing--darn- I didn't think to check out their reaction, and I'm sorry to have missed it, but I can so easily imagine it! :)
But I did see Vicki wiping away her tears. Which is all the proof I need that our theoretically "cheap" balcony seats were in fact the best in the house, just above the stage and just above JK's table. I'm guessing that virtually no one else, save Vicki's son (from whom she'd requested a kleenex) saw those tears besides us. Other people down on the floor, at the la-di-da tables, even those close to their table, could not possibly have seen this. Even Teresa, at the same table and only 2 feet from Vicki, but in front of her, couldn't have seen that moment.
3. Ken Burns, in introducing his film about JK, said something (referring to 2004 presidential race) like, "it's not whether you win, but whether you fight. And Sen. Kerry fought like hell." Audience cheered! YES!
4. Even the somewhat hokey Christmas music was done with panache by the Boston Pops. Not to brag or anything, but the depth of musical talent in Boston is constantly amazing.
5. There were several opportunities for singalongs, with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, and with the Boston Pops, and JK sang along every single time.:)
6. James Taylor was in fine voice.
7. Gov. Patrick does a mean "Night before Christmas" :)
8. Sen. Kerry also recited the Gettysburg address -- very nice.

gotta get back to work now. will chime in later.

[MBS]

4. PS #1

JK talked about how he loved working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for the country, saying at some point, "I love the battle". (So lucky for us that he does. Because we need the help more than ever). He was buoyant that night. Lovely to see.

Noisydemocrat managed to get some video I think, of the non-commercial parts (illegal to film the Pops, James Taylor, etc). . hopefully a link will be posted in a few days.

Boston Globe had no story on this, just a shallow, information-free paragraph in their "boldface names" section, as if it were a local charity ball-- but even the charity balls at least get pictures, and this got none. . Jesus. (I don't have time to look for the link, there's really nothing there anyway). Doesn't anyone do real reporting anymore?(From the paragraph, I'd guess that the writer wasn't even at the event). This was a lovely human-interest story of real relevance to Boston/MA residents, at minimum.

[MBS]

5. PS #2

conducting was to John Phillip Sousa, "Stars and Stripes Forever". The Pops camped it up, with giant American flag descending on stage during the piece. If memory serves, this was the piece that Teddy always "conducted". .(why do I think that? I never saw Teddy in action. . maybe I read this, or imagined it)

JK insisted on bringing THK on stage, crediting her with changing his outlook, changing his life
During one of the songs in the Christmas sing along, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas", Sen. Kerry smiled and seemed to give THK a special little squeeze. The lyrics allude in part to making it through hard times: was this significant, I think? Or maybe it's a family favorite? (There's something about the song that always makes me a little teary. ) or maybe the moment was unrelated to the music per se? whatever the connection (or not), another nice moment.

Peter Yarrow sang (along with Paul Stookey) a Hannukah song that he composed. .very nice. (If anyone knows where it's been recorded, I'd love to hear it again, or get the music). Words -- about keeping that light shininng -- were appropriate not only for the season, but for this moment of supreme political frustration.

[whometense]

6. Carnegie Hall concert:

A http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Concert-Peter-Paul-Mary/dp/6301773411/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1292354116&sr=8-1">much-beloved concert filmed live in 1988 - it used to be shown on PBS every year. My children grew up watching - and loving - it. Sadly, it's never been released on DVD; god knows why. Most of the songs are available on a cd that is still available (http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Celebration-Peter-Paul-Mary/dp/B000002MGH/ref=pd_sim_v_2), including A Soalin', which they also sang last night. It's a sad substitute for the video, which is completely delightful, but better than nothing.

Definitely - and by far - the best Hannukah song ever written, IMHO.

[beachmom]

8. Thanks for the tip on the song. I did find a You Tube from 1997:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bGmXcLp65Q

Oh, this vintage version is even better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnbD3QLU5o4

Black and white from the '60s complete w/ Halloween story and translation into an Asian language. Ah, the joys of the internet.

[whometense]

9. Why do I always forget about youtube???

This video shows the Hannukah song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yZ1zxtbOJE

[MBS]

10. thanks!!

great. And Mary is there, too. And I love the children.
DON'T LET THE LIGHT GO OUT. Yes, oh, yes.

[karynnj]

20. Thank you for the link -

I love the song.

[Democrafty]

11. You are correct RE: Teddy conducting

I found this on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKwjGssH6zs

There are very nice reaction shots of Vicki, along with the craziest necktie configuration I have ever seen.

I'm not sure what this event was, but it looks to have been a big deal, with Ben Affleck, Bono, Glenn Close and others in attendance.

[karynnj]

24. OMG - Kerry completely did a Kennedy imitation - and a wicked good one!

It completely explains some of what Kerry did.

[ObamaKerryDem]

32. I agree--and it was obvious JK was having great fun with it!! :)

He really seemed to be in his element that night, really able to relax and enjoy himself which of course I was glad to see. So well deserved!! :)

It was wonderful meeting you in person, karynnj! :hug:

[karynnj]

33. It was great to meet you too

:grouphug:

[beachmom]

2. Thanks, guys. I can't wait to hear more!

[wisteria]

3. It sounds like it was a spectacular time! I can't wait to hear more.

Oh, and any pictures?

[ProSense]

7. Thanks for the recap

I'd love to see photos from the event. It sounds wonderful and must have been a special treat for JK to be surrounded by so many family and friends.

[whometense]

12. There were a LOT of photographers

taking pictures through the whole event. I don't know who they were working for, or where the pictures will show up, but a lot were taken. I guess we'll just have to keep an eye out!

[ProSense]

14. Cool, thanks.

I'm sure some will surface somewhere. :)

:hi:

[Island Blue]

13. Thank you for this, whometense

and everyone else who added to the narrative. You guys really painted a great picture of the evening. I'm so glad that Kerrycrats still enjoy getting together whenever possible. Thanks again everyone!

[JI7]

15. that sounds so exciting. i think JK probably appreciates each birthday

more every year with the losses of friends and family in his life. i also wonder if sometimes having a birthday towards the end of the year gives on a different look than if it was other times of the year.

because it's not just your own birthday but everything is about the end of the year and what you have done and starting new things with the coming year.

[karynnj]

16. You captured the event so well. It is hard to describe how completely joyful the event was -

even though it included at least one song about wanting peace and the troops home.

Given the week leading up to this - attending a very sad funeral and at minimum knowing that Holbrooke was in critical condition and having to cast a vote that he - and all the Democrats clearly never wanted to cast, but knowing they have no choice, it was great seeing him clearly enjoy singing along to all the songs. (At the end, he spoke of how there was a history of good music in all his campaigns - he even spoke of really having the best music in 2004. He also mentioned that the Madison WI rally stills holds the record as the largest rally.) It seems that, just as he has said that he can get sleep via cat naps anywhere, he can completely enjoy the good moments of music, family and friends amidst hard times.

Also, seeing the genuine love that Kerry inspired in his crew - and hearing the pain in Wasser's comments when speaking of the hurt the SBVT caused makes me angrier than ever that the media had a callous, but casual willingness to ignore genuine sacrifice and bravery - not just Kerry's, but the entire group's - at time of fake super patriotism. It also, because of the timing, made me see how utterly unsurprising Kerry's emotional support to Elizabeth Edwards was - even though he would have been completely justified if he never spoke to either Edwards after 2006. He learned in his 20s how short life can be.

It was interesting how many times the word "love" was used or was intensely apparent. The emotional connection between Kerry's crew (and Cleland) and Kerry was amazing - on both sides. (I loved that Wasser, who spoke for them called Teresa "our captain's compass" and then praised her brownies.) Kerry's words of Teresa were incredible speaking of her changing him and helping him believe - and then pausing and simply saying "I love you". After kissing her, he then then joked that she asked him how he changed.

If there were any uniting theme in the various comments, it seemed to be praise of his continuous ongoing fight to do right - whether on social justice type issues or peace. I loved the comments of Peter and (Noel)Paul. Their own history of being the music behind the idealist better side of the sixties made their comments more poignant. I know I will never think of that Hannukah song without seeing what the songwriter said - it speaks to the things Kerry has done all his life.

[whometense]

17. I'm really glad you said this.

Wasser's speech was so profoundly heartfelt and moving that I didn't even know where to begin to describe it, but you did a great job. His remarks about the SBVT showed how deeply those wounds penetrated. And seeing JK choke up a little when he thanked them for being there - I have to say that for a political event, it didn't feel at all political. It felt like a privilege to be there, and to be included in JK's extended family.

There will be a lot of lovely memories from that evening, but one I will cherish is the smile JK gave Teresa after he spoke about her - it lit up his face.

[MBS]

18. Thanks to both of you for these wonderful comments

Yes, it really was about love, among all parties, in all directions.A lovely, lovely dose of truth to blot out the usual @#$% in politics, media, etc. It was just a very real event, with a real community. It didn't seem to matter at all that we were not in the group who got a chance for a Close Encounter with the senator (at a pre-event reception):I just felt this strong connection with everyone there. .

[karynnj]

19. I agree with you on the feel of it being a large extended family

For us, it was shown in the fact that they placed the group of us all together in a wonderful spot with an incredible view of everything. Thanks to all of us being identified by being MBS's people!

It has to be heart warming to Kerry to see so many people who have been with him since the 1970s - or earlier. Maybe it was that sense of the people there being extended family that freed the serious Senator to feel free showing his lighter, funnier side. He was absolutely hilarious leading the symphony with frequent moves seeming to "direct" the audience, almost as if inviting us in as insiders to the "joke". He was incredibly energetic and looked like he was having a great time. On the way back to their seats, it was funny to see Teresa very briefly copy some of his arm movements to a smiling Kerry.

[ObamaKerryDem]

30. That was such a moment with JK and Teresa! And I love how he said..

.."Now I'll have a big explanation to give when we get home" or something to that effect..LOL! They are adorable together. :loveya:

I concur with everything that has been said thus far about the event. It was truly amazing and did really have a personal touch to it as well, which was lovely to see and be a part of, just by being there. So wonderful and such an honor to get to celebrate JK's accomplishments with him in that way..and give a kind of toast to all that lies ahead as well. So many special moments and memories. I'll NEVER forget it! :)

And that film tribute to JK, by Ken Burns....spectacular! I hope there is a DVD or some other form of footage made available of the evening or at least parts of eventually.

We really did get fantastic seats--thanks MBS!! :thumbsup: :)

I feel so lucky to have been there and to have shared the moment with you all! :grouphug:

[karynnj]

21. Remember this - Kerry at a memorial for Mary Travers

http://foreign.senate.gov/search/?q=Afghanistan&as_sitesearch=http%3A%2F%2Fforeign.senate.gov%2Fhearings&x=24&y=7

[TayTay]

22. All of these posts have been so wonderful

I'm not sure of what else to add.

Ahm, it was absolutely the best Holiday gift possible to spend some time this Holiday season with people that I love. Thank you all for that. It was a gift for my heart, my senses, my mind and my soul. I simply cannot thank you all enough for that. If this event was about love and family and the ties that bind for the Senator, then we match, because it was so for me as well.

Senator Kerry was honored for his 45 years in public service, 25 of which, as we know, have been in the US Senate. The Senator was honored for his work as a peacemaker, a statesman, a legislator, an activist and a humanitarian. These were all richly deserved honors. They speak to a life in the limelight and a life well lived.

One of the first posts I did on DU JK six years ago this month (OMG, 6 years ago? Wow!) was in answer to questions about the longterm relationship between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and our celebrated son, John Kerry. What did MA want from this cerebral, driven, ambitious, complicated and intense man? I posted that we wanted him to live up to his amazing and near unlimited potential as a brilliant public servant. We also wanted to see more of his inner being. We wanted to see why he fights as hard as he does to better understand this remarkable man. We wanted to see inside someone who is a very guarded and private person, in many ways.

MA is a clubby state. We call our politicians by their first names: Nikki, Eddie, Mikey, etc. We know these folks. We know their histories, their kids, where they grew up and what makes them laugh. We have the opportunity, in many ways, to get to know them as people and can understand their motives and why they do what they do. This has not been the case with John Kerry.

Sen. Kerry is respected in the Commonwealth. But he did not always let people "see" him and deepen the relationship. He was a bit more formal, a bit more guarded and so forth than other public folks. However, in the last few years, the good Senator has relaxed his guard and begun a deeper relationship with the good people in MA. (This is why things like the silly yacht stories come up; there are those who don't want any warming to occur.)

On Monday night, Sen. Kerry stood on the stage at Symphony Hall and stated that he loved being a Senator, he loved representing the good people of MA in Washington and that, in effect, he loved being "from around here." He was saying that yeah, his heart was here with all these crazy, clubby, funny, sarcastic and oddly needy people. He said what he could not have said 20 or even 10 years ago. He said he loved us. He said it many times, and he obviously said it from his heart and from his soul.

I was sitting with Whometense in the upper balcony. We both remarked on the journey that this celebrated son of Massachusetts has been on that brought him to be able to say that in a public forum without reservation, without hemming and hawing without any embarrassment or hesitation. It was "a moment," for me, as an MA resident to see that.

Why is this remarkable? Because people can say, "awww, we love you back hon" to someone who we didn't quite know how to say that to before. We can say thank you for fighting for us in all the ways you have been fighting. Thank you for YouthBuild, and home heating monies and taking care of the poor. Thank you for fighting for our values. Thank you for never giving up. And, honestly, it's okay to say it, we can really love you back. (The world won't end and we won't take you any less seriously, promise.)

So, forgive me for this long post, but damn that was nice to see. The door is a bit more open on this remarkable man, the warmth within a bit more visible,the heart a bit more accessible and I see very good things ahead. Yeah, honest John, we love you back and it's okay. You've earned it.

[ObamaKerryDem]

31. Excellent post, TayTay. So beautifully said!

Though I am new to MA, I must say that I completely agree! :)

It was wonderful meeting you, btw. :hug:

[Blaukraut]

23. Everyone's already said it all

I can only add that we had a wonderful time and it was a pleasure seeing all of you again! The event was heartfelt, joyful, and yet filled with some thoughtful moments that brought a tear to my eye more than once. JK and THK were in top form.

One thing I noticed which was rather trivial, but it made me smile: When JK and Theresa were ready to head up on stage, I saw Theresa hand her assistant her black comfy ankle boots she must have worn up until then, because her shoes on stage were a lovely open back high heel. Now there's a woman who knows how to enjoy a painless evening out :toast: :rofl:

[karynnj]

25. I didn't notice the change of shoes!

Teresa looked exquisitely beautiful. Her husband seemed more protective of her than I had seen in other times they were at things together and his thanks to her - ending with telling her he loved her - was beautiful.

The shoes were lovely, but the kind of high heels with very thin supports - I never ever understood how to walk in them!

[Luftmensch067]

29. Thank goodness we were all seated where we were!

Because I totally didn't notice either the discreet change of footwear (and I'm so glad because those heels were amazing but didn't look like you'd want to wear them for hours at a time!) or the little conducting motions THK was making as they went back to their seats that Karynnj noticed! It's a pleasure to be able to see the event through so many observant and loving eyes. And to relive it over and over through the memories described here. Thank you for giving me even more to treasure about an evening I'll never forget.

Tay Tay, I think you just gave me more hope than I've had in a long time with your beautiful summation of the journey JK has made (so far!) as a public servant in this very idiosyncratic Commonwealth. I truly believe you are right and that JK is becoming the kind of politician people in MA will more and more be able to take into their hearts as well as someone they can respect.

It was so wonderful to see JK relaxing with family and friends, knowing what he has been up against in DC and all the worries he must think about on a global scale. I've now lived in MA for three decades (how did that happen!) and I've never been to any Boston Pops event, certainly not during the holiday season for which they're justly famed. It was such a delight to be part of what is obviously a longstanding tradition for people who have grown up here and their Twelve Days of Christmas arrangement was so funny! It really did feel kind of like we were at a HUGE family party and our seats, thanks to MBS, were absolutely the best in the house.

During the carol sing, as MBS and others observed, JK was obviously sharing a moment of tenderness with THK during "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (a carol I also always find very moving, as MBS says) and I loved seeing how close they are, but I also had the strongest feeling when I heard these lines:

Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

I thought: this is about us, all of us at DU JK, the ones sitting all around me here in balcony on this beautiful evening, and everyone else who still supports JK and believes in what he fights for.
He means it when he says we're all on the journey together and in that moment I really felt how true that is. He also said he's getting ready for the tribute to the next 45 years and I hope we can all be together for that, and much sooner!

[beachmom]

26. I am SO digging this thread. May it never end!! nt

[Democrafty]

27. LOL, that's kind of how I felt about the concert Monday night!

More later - wish you had all been there.

[YvonneCa]

28. So am I, beachmom. We ALL have to go...

...next time. :) Thanks to everyone for sharing your experience here, It sounds like such a wonderful celebration. :hi:

[politicasista]

34. Some tweets via Twitter

From Councilwoman Ayanna Pressley:

Honored to have worked for @JohnKerry and proud to join in celebrating his 25 years in Senate and 45 years of public service. Congrats JK!

From Boston Haitian-American reporter Manolia Charlotin:

James Taylor pays tribute 2 Sen. Kerry "John we want to thank u for 45 yrs of service-w/ another song bout me" http://plixi.com/p/62826904

At Symphony Hall for tribute to Sen. Kerry http://plixi.com/p/62821582

Glad everyone, the Senator and his family, friends had a nice time. :)

[karynnj]

35. Thank you so much for these

In the photo, you can't really see where we were, but you can see the right side equivalent of where we were (in the lowest balcony, in the section nearest the stage - in the first two rows. They gave us excellent seats - all together. Thanks again, MBS.

[TayTay]

36. Agreed. Thank you MBS

and thank you Bernadine in DC. Send her an email with thanks as well. (Hey, we all like to be thanked, even DC folks.)

[karynnj]

37. I feel embarrassed not to have thought of that - when, of course,

it should have done.

Do you (and others who went) think we should send a joint thank you - or send individual ones?

I was watching the Senate yesterday when START was debated. Watching the incredibly serious man brilliantly countering the Republicans and debating with Kyl, it was wonderful to know he was also the relaxed happy guy, singing to every song, speaking of love for his wife, his band of brothers, and for Massachusetts, then energetically conducting the symphony Teddy style.

It was a privilege being there - and wonderful that the Kerry team put us together in such a wonderful spot.

[TayTay]

38. Good question

My guess is one each. It magnifies the sentiment.

[ObamaKerryDem]

40. That's a great idea. I will make sure to do this! :) n/t

[politicasista]

39. Cool.

Looks and sounds like MBS had the hookup. :)

Some more tweets from Collette Phillips (Boston PR Pioneer):

Seems like 3000 people in attendance paying tribute to Sen John Kerry. 45 years of public service & 25 years in the Senate.

At Tribute to John Kerry Symphony Hall-i 45 years of public service. Gov Patrick; Ken Burns; James Taylor; Peter Yarrow,Paul Stookey

[karynnj]

41. There are a couple of pictures of the party on John Kerry.com

http://johnkerry.com/ (there is a picture here of Kerry "conducting" the orchestra. Click on that and there is a little article and a nice photo of John and Teresa when he was thanking everyone.

Two little videos on the web of James Taylor ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddUQLs633eY and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFOn5brwW7s) and Peter and Paul (of Peter, Paul and Mary ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rZLrmXDP4Q ) and Deval Patrick reading The Night before Christmas ( http://www.youtube.com/user/kbg484#p/u/9/UWeSOu8ZEQM )

But no video of Kerry conducting!

[politicasista]

42. Since the Globe didn't step up to the plate

this event would have been excellent for smaller newspapers like The Bay State Banner to cover. They endorsed the Senator Kerry for reelection back in 08; they have/had also excellent coverage of Governor Patrick, and excellent tributes on the street of the late Senator Kennedy.

It would have been positive, excellent press in an non-election year, and let people know that Senator Kerry still cares about being their Senator having been in the game for 45/25 years, especially the SOS rumors and the meme repeated on Basic Black about Brown being the most popular pol in MA. Sounds like he may need to bring some A game on the constituent services.

Will keep out of MA issues because there aren't any dogs or cats in this fight.

[Inuca]

43. Going through the thread it's ALMOST

like having been there, thanks all! I am still getting mad and frustrated when I remeber the day when I tried to get to the airport to catch my flight to Boston and just COULD NOT make it there. Not in the stars, I guess.... But I am really glad you had such a wonderful, wonderful time :grouphug:. And thanks again for the descriptions and comments. Did you guys take some pictures? If so, is there anywhere where I can have a look?

[TayTay]

44. We really have to meet next time in a better season

winter is just too hard to plan around. Again, you were missed.

Perhaps next time we should celebrate THK's birthday in early Oct. That would make the weather both more predictable and more pleasant. (And we have to meet outside of Boston somewhere, soon.)

[YvonneCa]

45. If you ever want to come to ...

...California... :7 I have lots of room ;)