The Lion of the Senate

This afternoon I was watching as thousands of ordinary people standing in line to pay respect to a champion of causes for the underdog, the poor, the disabled, the have nots. Long lines of people of all colors, and ages, Several people in wheel chairs, or children being pushed in wheelchairs.

I suppose I could go on to quote a lot of Ted Kennedy's greatest words etc. but I've decided to just offer my words and memories.

The most vivid memories of him were of him standing and giving the eulogy for his brother Robert. It left such an impression on me because of how his voice broke as he stumbled across the words, trying to express his love for his brother. And I thought, how can he bear this? He buried his 3 older brother's and he was a young man himself.

Teddy was the "wild child" for many years but I remember things began to change after his unsuccessful bid for the nomination against Jimmy Carter. I think he realized at that time, that his time had come and gone and he needed to re evaluate his life.

I will never forget this very sick man, making his entrance at our President's inauguration just a few months ago. I was proud that he got to see that day.

I remember the day his plane crashed and we all held our breath

What will it be like now that we will not have the Liberal Lion that could always reach across the isle to the most radical Conservatives. My prayer is that every one will stop and listen and quit screaming. He listened, he loved his fellow man. That seems to be a novelty today.

I love when his name is always evoked as the "Liberal Kennedy" like that's poison :) He was proud of it. He should have been. And all those that are the beneficiaries of his hard work, should be thankful, and that would be all of us.

And I will end my blog with the end of his speech in 1980

"And may it be said of us, both in dark passages and in bright days, in the words of Tennyson that my brothers quoted and loved, and that have special meaning for me now: "I am a part of all that I have met....Tho much is taken, much abides....That which we are, we are-- One equal temper of heroic hearts, ...strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die. Hear this .WAV 173K

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Thank you Senator Kennedy, I hope your dreams will come true for this country and our world.