The last of the Kennedy brothers, the only one to reach old age, has gone. His tumultuous life ~ both political and personal ~ has drawn to a close. He was the last male in an amazing line of a family devoted to the social and political life of this nation. I had hoped that the health care debate would have ended in triumph before he moved on to other political climes. It was the cause that moved him over the last thirty years. The President was said to have been ready to pay a visit to the ailing senator. Alas, it was not to be. Teddy would not ever have achieved the Oval Office, due to, among other flaws, hubris. Nonetheless, his devotion to this nation cannot be minimized.
I remember being in a hotel in Santa Barbara when the Senator's plane crashed in 1964. I could not believe that this family could possibly be assaulted by yet another tragedy. But it would not be the last. The Kennedy family, whether you agree with their politics or not, has given of its best to this nation, its sons have died for it, its daughters have worked to make it a better place. Imagine. Three died violently; one in war, two by assassination. One daughter died in a plane crash. Another daughter, after ghastly medical intervention, lived out her life in the shadows. Eunice Shriver Kennedy, only a month ago, died in her time, but had established the Special Olympics, mostly in honor of her sister, Rosemary. It is up to the surviving sister, Jean, to now bury her last sibling.
This Lion of the Senate will be missed. God speed, Teddy.
No comments:
Post a Comment