In memoriam: Sen. Ted Kennedy 1932 - 2009

Candles, St. Saulve Abbey, Montreuil-sur-Mer, France.

Remembering Sen. Ted Kennedy, who rose above family tragedy to work tirelessly for the greater good. He was a bright spirit, whose important work made a real difference in American lives. A man of privilege, Sen. Kennedy championed those less fortunate. He worked hard for human rights and equality and encouraged social responsibility. For 40 years, he was a vigilant crusader for universal health care. It is up to us to fulfill that challenge. Sen. Kennedy will be missed.

Comments

[ainelivia]

thinking of Ted Kennedy brings back so many other memories of that time. Jack, Bobby, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and of hope for a fairer world. Somehow I feel that by not becoming President and working away in the background Edward Kennedy's contribution is somehow bigger and he helped to keep the dream alive. Am so glad that he lived to see Barack Obama elected President.

[ainelivia]

Thinking of Ted Kennedy brings back so many other memories of that time. Jack, Bobby, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X. I feel grateful for the life he lived and that in some way working away in the background and not becoming President, he achieved some, quite a lot of the collective dream. Now let's hope the health bill gets passed.

Blessings on your head Edward Moore Kennedy.

[christina]

He was one of the good guys!!

[Stephanie]

What an honor Tara to have met him. It truly is an end of an era.

x..x

[Gillian daSilva]

Sad I think. I agree with Julochka, end of an era. :(
xo

[pam aries]

I agree. And thank you for this tribute. I can only hope that his work cintinues, for we need all the help we can get.

[studio wellspring]

sad indeed, he was a great man.

[julochka]

i felt strangely sad hearing it, tho' with his brain tumor, it wasn't unexpected. it really feels like the end of an era, doesn't it?

[Se'Lah]

He's sure done a lot for those less fortunate. My mom had the pleasure of knowing him and have a photo together...a treasure for sure. May others continue his work.

[Tara Bradford]

Yes, he was a great man. I really hope we can achieve health care reform, something Sen. Kennedy was so passionate about. I first met him many years ago, when I was a journalism student and later worked on his political action committee. P.S. Still unable to comment on your blog!

[Colette]

A great loss, to be sure. He certainly turned his life around and lived it well. I met him at a small dinner in Boston about 10 years ago and was struck by how approachable and down-to-earth he was. He was one of a kind in politics. One can only hope there are those who have learned from him and can carry on his work.

[Jeanie]

I feel so very sad about this, and in a strangely personal way. Back in the late 1990s, Rick and I were in NYC and I was out walking by myself. Coming toward me was Ted Kennedy and two others. I must have registered a look of recognition or surprise or something on my face, maybe a smile -- who knows? But while he kept walking and talking with his colleagues, he recognized me as well, with a slight smile and nod. Unnecessary, and I'm sure for him, a daily occurrence. Yet it stuck with me forever. He has meant such a great deal to this country, and despite his early aspirations to the presidency, I think he's done ever so much more than either of his brothers did combined to make this country a better, more civilized place. He was my hope for health care; I hope his passion and commitment to that issue and so many others is carried on. It would be a way to continue the legacy.

[Yoli]

I miss him, I can only imagine what his family is feeling.

[Leau]

The Lion of the Senate cared passionately about health care for everyone, appropriate education for everyone and his dog. He could often be seen out side the Senate building throwing a ball over and over again while pondering how to get people to work together. There will not be a replacement for his passion and spirit but let's hope another advocate will rise to champion his causes.