Wednesday, August 26, 2009

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

4 comments:

girasoli said...

I was devastated when I heard the news last night. He was big in our family. Tears for Teddy... So many will miss him dearly.

Trekcapri said...

Hi Flygirl, Wonderful post. That must have been a great experience to have personally met him. Ted Kennedy, to me, really defines the true meaning of working in public service ("working for the people"). He did so much in his lifetime to affect change and help to improve people's lives.

Ted Kennedy will be missed....

Thank you for writing this wonderful tribute.

Annie said...

Blessings to him and what an amazing legacy he left. When I was in high school, I went on a youth trip to DC and remember seeing him walk into the Senate chamber (we were upstairs). It WAS electric!

Mary said...

I'm afraid we will not see his like again in the Senate. He was a truly great man. He will be missed.