Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, Conor Kennedy, not only has to deal with what comes dating a pop star, but the young man is dealing with the loss of his mother.  The tragedy is something that Taylor is helping him get through.

Mary Richardson Kennedy  had been struggling with drugs and alcohol in recent years.  In 2010, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had filed for divorce from Mary and it seems that the couple’s separation was devastating for Mary.  She had been arrested for both drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs months after his filing.

The late Mary Kennedy with a younger Conor Kennedy in 2009

Mary never recovered from the split.  Sources said she always seemed “lost and alone and sort of out of it.” In May 2012, Mary Richardson Kennedy was found dead in the family barn after she hung herself.

Months later Taylor Swift enters the picture for Conor.  The 22 year-old singer has been catching some heat for dating 18 year-old Conor.  However, his family has given the seal of approval.
Several family members have come to their defense, including Conor’s half-sister, Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy.  In an interview with New York Magazine she said, “Whatever makes Conor happy makes me happy. I love Taylor; they’re pretty cute together.”

Conor’s cousin Christopher Lawford   said that Taylor has been helping Conor deal with the death of his mother.   “So whatever Conor has to do to comfort himself, he should do it as long as they are both happy and healthy … and left alone.”

I think that they could be really good for each other. Conor has dealt with a lot of loss in the last couple of years.  The loss of his parents being married and then the suicide of his mother.  Then there’s Taylor, who has had bad luck with dating and men in general.

Taylor needs a break from older, Hollywood affected men and Conor needs a sweet girl with a good head on her shoulders.  It seems to me that they are helping each other in a time when they need it.