Wordless Wednesdays: RIP Ted Kennedy

Not so wordless. Last evening, MA Senator Ted Kennedy died after a valiant effort of dealing with brain cancer. He was a catalyst for change both on the local and national level. He always brought an electric charge into a room. Controversial, yes, but you were impressed by his passion and honesty. He always put 'humanness' in his issues.

I don't know if he will ever know how many people's lives he affected by his public service. He was given a huge weight of caring for his brothers' children as well as his own family. He walked with prime ministers and leaders of other countries as well as our own presidents but he still remembered names (even mine) when he walked in a room. I had the privilege of meeting him professionally a few times; my sister was helped by his direction in her seeking services for her developmentally challenged son; family members sailed against him in the Figawi. He was larger than life yet still remained a humbled servant to his public.

Speech excerpt (Tennyson quote) from DNC in NYC in 1980. Ted Kennedy was the keynote speaker:
"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."

(Photo courtesy of the CapeCod Times) The Mya, Kennedy's boat in the Figawi