One Boomer’s Journey to “Happily Ever After”
As a baby boomer and a woman over fifty, Peggy Kennedy was affected by the same generational influences many of us encountered in our early years. When she was a child, she planted herself in front of the tube and faithfully watched Howdy Doody and The Mickey Mouse Club. As a teen, she sported the boomer uniform: mini skirts and bellbottoms topped with a peasant blouse. And, in college, she attended her share of marches and rallies.
But Peggy’s childhood and early adulthood were different in a number of ways than most of us experienced. Her family went through some truly wrenching events that might have devastated many; but they somehow pulled through, grew stronger, and become even closer. Peggy chronicled her remarkable life in her compelling and can’t-put-it-down read, Approaching Neverland: A Memoir of Epic Tragedy & Happily Ever After.
The biggest issue Peggy faced early on was that her mother suffered with a form of mental illness that’s now called bipolar disorder. Glenn Close is currently spearheading a campaign to bring mental illness out of the closet and help de-stigmatize the disease. But, back in the sixties when Peggy was growing up, even the mere mention of mental illness was taboo—let alone admit that your family member was diagnosed with a mental disorder. Although the National Institute of Mental Health states that one in four adults in the United States have some type of diagnosable mental illness (and it couldn’t have been that different back then), it was the deepest and darkest of secrets.
I interviewed Peggy about her book on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio and was incredibly moved by her story. Not only did her mom suffer from mental illness, her sister was murdered, her brother died of AIDS, and her father contracted Alzheimer’s disease. But Peggy’s book is not a story that centers on tragedies alone. Far from it. Like that other Kennedy family, there’s no doubt these Kennedys experienced great loss, but they also were blessed with amazing talent and gifts. Each of the children was bright and creative and the highly spirited siblings shared a love for fun and humor. Most of all, they were bonded in ways few brothers and sisters are—they held a deep and abiding love for one another and this made all the difference.
I was so touched by Peggy’s story that I wrote a customer review for Amazon. “Anyone who has ever faced significant loss or overcome great challenge will especially relate. Peggy’s story is both a deeply moving account of a complex family and a celebration of triumph and overcoming the odds. A must read that will leave you smiling with tears in your eyes.”
This is a book like no other. It would make the perfect gift for a friend or loved one who’s going through a difficult time and needs some consolation and encouragement. Peggy found her “happily ever after” and, when you read her book, she will inspire you to find your own. You, too, will finish her remarkable and moving story smiling with tears in your eyes.
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November 7th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Thanks for bringing Peggy Kennedy’s story to light, and for reminding us that, like most things in life, within the bad there is often a blessing, and it is those individuals who are able to understand and embrace that who tend to thrive despite the negative experiences they must endure. I am happy that she was able to overcome what was so obviously beyond her control, and that she had the love and support of her siblings to ease the pain. This is a story that is definitely worth telling.
Evelyn Kalinosky
November 6th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I tend to gravitate toward stories where there is great triumph over adversity. Maybe it’s the proverbial “American Spirit” of loving the underdog. But, I do love stories where odds are defied and people transcend and become victories. That is the kind of stuff that real life is made out of.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:24 am
WOW, a very moving account which goes to prove the human spirit is strong and we all need to keep that belief foremost in our mind. (except my mind is feeling more and more like a sieve…stuff falls through…dern ‘senior years’)