Writing.The.World: CBK

It was 21 years ago that John, Carolyn and Lauren died in the plane crash near Martha's Vineyard. I've said here in the blog that I'm interested in them, and several of the accounts I follow on Instagram are marking the day:

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November 1992. JFK Jr at a party for Kelly Klein’s book, “Pools”. Carolyn was also at this event but isn’t pictured. #rip #jfkjr #jfkjnr #jfkjunior #johnfkennedyjr #johnfkennedyjnr #johnfkennedyjunior #johnkennedyjr #johnkennedyjnr #johnkennedyjunior #johnfitzgeraldkennedyjr #johnfitzgeraldkennedyjnr #johnfitzgeraldkennedyjunior #johnjohn #johnjr #johnkennedy #camelot #johnjohnkennedy #americanroyal #americanprince #kennedys #thekennedys #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #nyc #1990s #90s

A post shared by John F. Kennedy Jr. (@jfkjrpage) on Jul 16, 2020 at 10:09am PDT

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It was 21 years ago today that we lost John and Carolyn. I can’t help but imagine what a difference they could have made in our world. Rest peacefully. 🙏

A post shared by Monte Durham (@therealmontedurham) on Jul 16, 2020 at 8:27am PDT

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...’Every gift but length of years’...RIP to three angels 💔 today marks the 21st anniversary of JFK Jr, Carolyn and Lauren Bessette’s passing...Gone but never forgotten. Together forever 💕 #jfkjr #jfkjnr #jfkjunior #johnfkennedyjr #johnkennedyjr #johnfitzgeraldkennedyjnr #johnjohn #johnjr #johnfitzgeraldkennedyjr #carolynbessettekennedy #carolynkennedy #carolynjeannebessette #carolynbessette #anniversary #rip #restinpeace #deathanniversary #laurenbessette #family #couple #camelot #love #johnkennedyjunior #thekennedys #kennedyfamily

A post shared by John F. Kennedy Jr. (@jfkjrpage) on Jul 16, 2020 at 8:45am PDT

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These three. Forever. 🙏🏻❤️ #21years

A post shared by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (@carolyn_iconic) on Jul 16, 2020 at 8:15am PDT

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1996. JFK Jr on the Oprah Winfrey Show. #jfkjr #johnfkennedyjr #johnkennedyjr #jfkjnr #jfkjunior #johnfitzgeraldkennedyjr #johnjohn #johnjr #johnkennedy #oprah #oprahshow #oprahwinfrey #interview #celebrity #famous #icon #1990s #90s #johnfkennedyjnr #johnkennedyjnr #tv #kennedys #thekennedys #kennedyfamily #camelot

A post shared by John F. Kennedy Jr. (@jfkjrpage) on Jul 15, 2020 at 6:05pm PDT

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A light that burned so bright and so fast that you may have missed it. Today we CELEBRATE the life of Carolyn Jeanne Bessette-Kennedy, a remarkable woman remembered for her endless generosity, wicked sense of humor, and lasting impact on all those around her. What a testament it is that there are so many of you who simply adore her. In order to commemorate her life, leave a comment below. What has Carolyn’s impact been on your life?

A post shared by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (@officialcarolynbessettekennedy) on Jul 16, 2020 at 7:19am PDT

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| Fresh photo 🤍🖤 ————————————————————————— A beautiful memory of Kelly & Carolyn in leather jackets, posted today by @kellyaklein We are THRILLED, thank you! XO

A post shared by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (@carolyn_iconic) on Jul 16, 2020 at 6:21am PDT

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Twenty One Years. 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 #anniversary #newyorker #carolynbessette #couplesgoals #carolynbessettekennedy #love #carolynjeannebessette #jfk #jfkjr #johnkennedyjr #thekennedys #chic #remember #husband #90saesthetic #newyork #nyc #camelot #fabulous #21 #styleinspo #marriage #camelot #throwback #90sfashion #1990s #90s #style #tbt #1999

A post shared by Carolyn Bessette (@carolynbessette) on Jul 16, 2020 at 7:25am PDT

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Tomorrow.... —————————————— ❤️ As is a tale, so is a life: Not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters. – Seneca

A post shared by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (@carolyn_iconic) on Jul 15, 2020 at 4:36pm PDT

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“As is a tale, so is a life: Not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters”. – Seneca ————————————————————— July 16, 1999 RIP

A post shared by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (@carolyn_iconic) on Jul 15, 2020 at 4:38pm PDT

photo credit: Denis Reggie

Some random thoughts and pictures:

An article at InStyle has some details about the planning of the secret wedding, from Steve Gillon's book titled "'America's Reluctant Prince." Read it here.

The Greyfield Inn, the only hotel on Cumberland Island, is where everyone stayed and where the rehearsal dinner and reception took place:

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Come explore the beauty and history of Cumberland Island with us! (📸: @lucycuneo) #greyfieldinn #cumberlandisland

A post shared by Greyfield Inn (@greyfieldinn) on Mar 29, 2019 at 12:31pm PDT

In July, at the time of the 20th anniversary of the plane crash, the TLC network had a special about the wedding, which included the menu for the reception dinner:

Fresh Poached Artichokes with a Balsamic Vinaigrette

Free-range Capons with a Wild Mushroom Demi-glace

Roast Irish Potatoes with Rosemary

Patty Pan Squash with Fresh Herbs

John's friend Billy Noonan licensed some home videos from the wedding to TLC for the special, as shown during this Today Show story:

This is what the church looks like today, along with other scenery on Cumberland Island:

Clockwise from left: the First African Baptist Church, where John F. Kennedy Jr. married Carolyn Bessette, was founded in 1893 by former slaves; sunset over a corner of Cumberland Island, which is preserved and protected as a National Seashore; behind the Dungeness ruins.

Clockwise from left: the First African Baptist Church, where John F. Kennedy Jr. married Carolyn Bessette, was founded in 1893 by former slaves; sunset over a corner of Cumberland Island, which is preserved and protected as a National Seashore; behind the Dungeness ruins.

photo credit: Alainna Lexie Beddie, from a 2017 story at the New York Times; read it here.

Blog readers know I'm fascinated by John Jr. and Carolyn; 23 years after their wedding and 20 years after their deaths, I wonder what they would be doing today.