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My Tribute to Ted Kennedy

My grandmother used to tell us that if there was rain on the day of your burial, it meant that the deceased wasn't a righteous person. As I watch the funeral mass of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who succumbed to brain cancer earlier this week, I'm struck by that fact.

Since I cannot claim to be a political person by nature, I'm not extremely familiar with the particulars of Teddy's career. However, I know that he's been instrumental in much of the legislation that affords me the opportunity to live the way I want to. Most importantly, I recognize his passing as the ending of an era in American politics.

What has struck me most about the life and times of Senator Kennedy was no matter how privileged he was, he never forgot about the least of us. He and his family lived, breathed, and in many cases died, in public service. He wanted all of us to have equal access to everything this great nation has to offer.

I'm also moved by the great tragedies that this family has had to endure. Watching them deal with the deaths of so many of their members with grace and style has been a sight to see indeed.

Was Teddy Kennedy a righteous man? I'm not sure. I know he was a passionate and robust man who lived fully, loved deeply, and cared for the least among us. He was the kind of friend that everyone wanted to have in their corner, and a rival that fought to the very end of a thing. He made his mistakes, but the word that comes to mind is redemption.

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