Teddy Kennedy died today. I know we call him Edward or Ted, but to a Baby Boomer like me, he will always be Teddy.
I am unabashedly a Kennedy supporter. Not the kind of supporter who puts a moral disclaimer to it . "I don’t approve of his morals, but he is a good public servant". Please, as though any of us have the right to approve of the morals of another. Who can honestly claim to know the personal life of a public figure? I don’t read the tabloids, I read the history books. The Kennedys fare quite well there.
He became a lighting rod for attacks from the political right wing. Thinking by destroying his character they could destroy his mission. They failed. I think he may have been comfortable in that role. After all, the purpose of the lighting rod is to absorb the shock of the strike, leaving the house intact. America’s house is intact. Thank you Teddy.
Being such a supporter, someone asked if I really had to go to work today, being so heartbroken. I said yes, that’s what a Kennedy would do. They ignore personal heartbreak and show up to do what needs to be done. Sen. Kennedy’s brothers and sister’s were born into a family of wealth and privilege. They could have lived out their lives enjoying that life. Instead they decided to serve their country. They didn’t serve in a safe way. They served in war, in public office, in the community. They served people who others ignored. Fighting for civil rights, helping the poor and the mentally and physically handicapped.
Even after burying three brothers who died serving their country,Teddy Kennedy still served. He served as a father for his brothers children.
Even after watching his family dragged through the mud as some sort of sport of the ignorant, he fought for freedom of speech. He never stopped serving. He served as an example of how to live as a true American. Fighting and defending freedom, no matter the cost. He served as an example of how to die with dignity.
"Kennedy’s don’t cry"......but I do.