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.