What Ted Kennedy Means to Me

I knew that he was old. I knew that he had a brain tumor. I knew that he would die - and soon. What I did not know was how it would affect me.
I did not know Senator Ted Kennedy. Would never have had any reason to have met him. But as I turned on the news yesterday morning and learned of his passing, I was filled with a deep sadness. I feel that America has lost more than we will ever realize.
I have watched all the news specials and will watch the coverage of his public memorial this weekend. I feel that it is important that we do all we can to celebrate the life of this youngest, but arguably most effective Kennedy brother. It is just as important, perhaps to note his past failings because they have made him the lion that he was. Kennedy made many (and public) mistakes in his life. But, to his credit, he never disowned them. And always, he recovered stronger.
Kennedy took to heart his mother, Rose Kennedy's, favorite bible quote. "From those to which much has been given; much will be expected" (from Luke 12:48) Yes, he was a Kennedy and all that that entailed. But first and foremost he was a public servant.
Will we ever again find in today's generation those who feel called to public service just for the sake of said service? Will there be those who step forward who will not compromise their principles and in so doing will gain the respect of their political enemies? Will there be those left in the Senate who know when it is beneficial to stand tall behind party lines and when it is prudent to reach across the aisle?
Senator Kennedy was the author of a staggering 2,500 bills. The programs and laws that he helped enact are countless. For many of our rights as 21st Century Americans we owe a debt of gratitude to Sen. Kennedy. He was a champion of civil rights as a natural continuation of his brothers' works. He championed women's rights before it was politically correct. He stood up for gay rights before it was cool.
Yes, there are many things for which to thank Teddy Kennedy and his service not just to Massachusetts and the US Senate, but indeed to all Americans. But that for which I will always be grateful to the Liberal Lion is a sense of awareness for the problems that we face and a willingness to stand up and do something about it. Teddy did not shrug away from voicing unpopular opinions, and neither shall I (no matter how insignificant I may be). As another great man (my grandfather) once said, "Nobody ever said doing the right thing had to be easy."
Ted Kennedy's life was oftentimes not easy, but he will always be remembered as great. Yes, he made mistakes. But he was a good man who dedicated his life to trying to do good for others. At the end of a long and eventful life, can there be a higher compliment?
What a statesman! What a life!