For those of us who lived during the glorious Kennedy years when style, class and culture were in vogue and Jacqueline Kennedy set a new standard of manners for the world, one yearns to wonder how she would react to today’s rude, obnoxious and downright deplorable behavior by most Americans.
As I pondered the idea, a friend of mine told me how successful a medium had been in contacting his deceased wife, and that I should consider using the same medium to contact Jacqueline Kennedy so that I could learn firsthand how the former First Lady felt about American behavior today.
At first I scoffed at the idea, but the more I considered it, the more I thought, why not? What did I have to lose? And if the medium indeed could contact Jacqueline Kennedy, I would be able to talk with her the way I always dreamed and which I came very close to doing in the 1970's when the Kennedy Library opened in Boston.
I knew the Library’s director quite well and he was in daily contact with Mrs. Kennedy, and, in fact when I was visiting him in Boston, he was preparing to go to New York City for a conference with her.
I almost asked if I could come along, but I was expected back in Los Angeles where my wife was waiting for me. I could not come up with any plausible reason for explaining to my wife how I ended up in New York City at Mrs. Kennedy’s apartment on Fifth Avenue, at least that my wife would understand. As it was, she found my continued fascination with Jacqueline Kennedy annoying at best.
So I was content for years to think that I came this close to meeting Jackie and kicked myself repeatedly for not pushing the limits of friendship and tagging along with the director as he traveled to Manhattan to meet with Mrs. Kennedy.
But the idea now of actually contacting her through the machinations of a spiritual intermediary was too farfetched to ignore. I had to try it. So I made an appointment for the following Saturday morning at 10 AM.
The medium was nothing like I expected. She was much younger than I thought she would be and quite chic. She saw how surprised I was and giggled.
"I know what you were expecting," she laughed. "A turban and elaborate costume instead of a Chanel suit, but if we’re going to contact Jacqueline Kennedy, one should be properly attired. It’s only fitting."
I agreed and sat down where the medium indicated at a padded arm chair that faced a highly polished table that was rather delicate and quite old.
"A family heirloom," she said, "from Austria. My grandparents brought it with them when they came to America along with a few other things."
"You’re very lucky," I replied. "I love old things, but my wife is very modern and minimal and our house looks like a showroom at the design center."
The medium laughed and stretched her arms across the delicate table.
"Take my hands," she said, "and close your eyes. It’s a good day to reach the other side. Everything is in alignment for contact and I am very optimistic that we will succeed. But, if for some reason we do not, there is no fee to be paid and we can try another time if you would like."
I was agreeable and closed my eyes. Suddenly, I felt the oddest sensation, a slight vibration which seemed to come from the table and right up my arms.
"What’s that?’ I asked.
