This lovely young woman, in this soft, faded moment, also cannot foretell the sadness to come. She had a wild and difficult father, a demanding mother and a dashing husband, and that was about it for emotional challenges at this point. Sadness would come, and come, and come. I shared the video and received a range of comments in return, but a poignant one was this, “On a sad note, during their time (at 2808 P), Jackie gave birth to their first child, who was stillborn ..."
We know that but for the gleaming beauty of this young couple, their vitality, and the aura of “Camelot,” in truth so much of the Kennedy arc is catastrophe and heartbreak. That little happy moment in Georgetown was just that. That little happy moment.
![]() | ![]() | | Christopher Kennedy Lawford and CJ. | ![]() |
Which brings us to the other video I have to share. It is an interview I did last month with Christopher Kennedy Lawford on “The Q&A Cafe,” which was taped in Georgetown only a handful of blocks away from the P Street house. We talked for almost an hour and he tells his harrowing personal story pretty well himself without me spilling much of it here.
In brief, Chris Lawford is very much a Kennedy. His mother, Patricia Kennedy, was JFK’s sister. His father was actor Peter Lawford. Both his parents were addicts. He became an addict, too. His life, at least until he was 30, was a hyper coaster of family tragedy, parental drama, and lots of drugs and alcohol. He got it back on track almost 25 years ago and he’s worked to keep it there and what helps him is being an author, activist and advocate in the field of addiction and recovery.
He’s a father, currently not married, and likes to spend as much time as possible on Hawaii — far, far away from the world he knew growing up a Kennedy. He’s attractive, well-spoken and likable. He has the Kennedy charm gene.
Lawford has his own Georgetown story, too, from when he was in college. Georgetown is where he took a head first dive into heroin addiction.
A few nights before I interviewed Chris I was at a party where I had a conversation with his cousin, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, daughter of Ethel and Robert Kennedy. I mentioned the upcoming interview and Chris’ two books. Kathleen — like her late aunt Jackie — was very direct and candid. In the interview, right at the top, I share it with Chris. A little family moment. Her words weren't mean, only telling, and another glimpse into this complicated family.
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