How do they do it?

[Gigi]

All of the events surrounding President Ford's death have had me wondering again how the families of dignitaries manage to get through the endless days of ceremonies, all of the travel, being on-camera constantly etc.  I am amazed by their stoicism.

I know when I have been bereaved it I've eventually hit a place where I simply could not speak with one more person, and had to curl up by myself for a while and try to recover some equilibrium.  As much as I appreciated everyone's kindness, after a few days of the whole funeral routine I had to get alone for a while. I can't even imagine doing what these families do. I suppose it comes with the territory of having a public life, but still..... 

Any thoughts?

[FoxPaws]

I am always impressed by that as well. In this case I would think the lull between services (New Year's Eve and Day) gave them a chance to re-group a bit. Also in this case and the late President Reagan's, all the immediate family are adults accustomed to being in the public eye and rising to important occasions. I'm sure they have plenty of official advisors to help them as well. (My greatest fear would be accidentally saying or doing something inappropriate that would live on in infamy.)

I remember that when Princess Diana's funeral was held, the royals asked that the press not show the family during the service so that the children could mourn in privacy. I thought that was very compassionate.

[Lauren]

I know that when JFK was assinated as well, that whenever Jackie Kennedy would start to cry, the cameras would immeaditly be taken off her.

An amazing woman to get through that, after not only losing a child that year, but to have your husband horribly murdered in front of you.

[Rose2Bear]

I know that when JFK was assinated as well, that whenever Jackie Kennedy would start to cry, the cameras would immeaditly be taken off her.

An amazing woman to get through that, after not only losing a child that year, but to have your husband horribly murdered in front of you.

I wonder if photographers would give the same respect to women of celebrity status today.  Maybe for president's wives and such they would, but I wonder if in other situations they would care as much.


Regarding the OP, I also agree that it is impressive that they can get through with the endless ceremonies and events as well.  But I bet its a safe assumption that as soon as they are home and in private, that is when they can truly grieve the way they feel comfortable, rather than always having to hold their head high.

[LibraryLady]

Like many others I was very impressed with how the Ford Family conducted themselvs.  I watched several of the services on C-Span and really enjoyed the Elder Bush's comments, Brokaw's, the President's and even Kissinger's (although you would think his German accent would have dissipated low these many years. 

The other speakers in other venues also gave a more rounded view of President Ford.

have a great day

hollis

[MineralDiva]

That thought struck me too, as I watched the final day of services for President Ford.  The one son was understandably emotional, and his mother had to be completely exhausted!

[Clara Bow]

Once one has been in the public eye so long and in such a high position I think they learn how to put their emotions to the side to be dealt with later. I have been very impressed with Betty Ford through all this, the two of them were so much in love for so long that she has got to be feeling lost. But she has been a class act through and through.
As far as celebrities go, the press can't get enough of their grief. When Anna Nicole Smith's son died, there were cameras in her face constantly. Now I have no use for her, but that was sad. No one deserves that.