Edward Kennedy, 1932-2009
8/28/09
so how does one assess a life? how did the person in question come to terms with their own humanity - flawed and fickle as it is?
as i listen to the commentary on this life, i feel a deep affinity to a man who lived life fully. a man who knew both privilege and tragedy. one who knew opportunity and failure. one who fell hard, but always rose again to press on.
one year after Bobby's death, Chappaquiddick. the terror mother Rose must have felt, the fear of losing her last son to tragedy.
but Teddy Kennedy labored on. the debacle of a misguided presidential campaign only served to birth his real purpose - to lead in the US Senate.
now, his life is remembered for what he accomplished - not where he failed. i see the grieving loss and tears shed at his passing.
will Rush or Glenn or Bill have such loved poured out at their passing? what will such men as these reap?
have they sown love and mercy or division and hatred?
those that live by the sword will die by its sharp thrust. the leader who gathers support with bitter anger will see that support fade away when the bile has been spent.
Ted Kennedy gave hope to millions. some hoped him early on - based on his storied name. But, to others, the hope he inspired came slowly - cultivated organically by his life of service to the causes of justice, mercy, and basic human rights.
so how does one assess a life? how did the person in question come to terms with their own humanity - flawed and fickle as it is?
as i listen to the commentary on this life, i feel a deep affinity to a man who lived life fully. a man who knew both privilege and tragedy. one who knew opportunity and failure. one who fell hard, but always rose again to press on.
one year after Bobby's death, Chappaquiddick. the terror mother Rose must have felt, the fear of losing her last son to tragedy.
but Teddy Kennedy labored on. the debacle of a misguided presidential campaign only served to birth his real purpose - to lead in the US Senate.
now, his life is remembered for what he accomplished - not where he failed. i see the grieving loss and tears shed at his passing.
will Rush or Glenn or Bill have such loved poured out at their passing? what will such men as these reap?
have they sown love and mercy or division and hatred?
those that live by the sword will die by its sharp thrust. the leader who gathers support with bitter anger will see that support fade away when the bile has been spent.
Ted Kennedy gave hope to millions. some hoped him early on - based on his storied name. But, to others, the hope he inspired came slowly - cultivated organically by his life of service to the causes of justice, mercy, and basic human rights.
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