The end of an era
I have been waiting to comment on the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The news of it was shocking enough, though hardly a surprise. My grandfather passed from the same deadly brain cancer, and a year seems to be all the time we have with those who battle malignant gliomas. And yet, I thought often over the last fifteen months how incredible it would be if Senator Kennedy were to receive the cure. I wondered if God could leave the last of the Kennedy brothers with us for a little longer yet, but it was not meant to be and Senator Kennedy, Teddy, is now with the ages.
I have always felt an affinity with the Kennedys. Though I am not at an age where I can remember their true power and influence, it is hard to imagine a time without them. It started with Jackie, who died when I was in grade school. This extraordinary woman was a style icon, but also a woman of conviction, who managed to rise above the worst of times to raise two of the most beautiful, respectable, incredible children, on her own. It was her style that captured my attention, it was her family that stole my imagination and heart.
It is easy to say the Kennedys were American royalty. President John F. Kennedy and his wife were known as Camelot and we spoke fondly of them for decades after President Kennedy's death. This family was Irish Catholic in a time when those of that nationality and faith were not accepted in most areas of society or politics. Up until President Kennedy, our presidents were what we might call WASPs. But with President Kennedy, the second choice of his father, a new era of American politics was started. I believe it is because of President Kennedy that we now have an African-American man as President.
I remember reading about the Kennedys, and I remember so clearly John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s death at all too early of an age, just like his father and his uncle. There have always been talks about curses for the Kennedy family, for Camelot. And it was not hard to beileve. So many of the young men in this family have been taken before their time, and yet, Teddy continued to thrive and strive. Through his hardships and scandals, he rose to be the Lion of the Senate, a true figurehead of both American politics as well as his family. Could Joe Kennedy have predicted this? I don't think so. And yet, this man with the loud booming Boston accent and deep liberal beliefs seemed to get the country, and his family through the hardest of times.
It devestates me to know that his one true want is being thrown about like a rag doll by two rabid dogs. He has wanted and fought for universal healthcare for all in this country, young and old, rich and poor, unemployed and employed. He fought for that basic right for nearly 50 years, and yet, today, lies and fear tactics surround it now. I wonder if he laughed it off, or if he was as infuriated as I have been. Or if in his last days, he stopped being Senator Kennedy and just went to being Teddy, living out the remainder of his life with the knowledge he has lived a full and compelling life.
Watching the funeral service today is watching America bury an era. It is the final burying of Camelot. And though the family is large, it has been a family torn apart and asunder by tragedy and pain. They will rise, they will always rise, but today, it is simply hard to remember that. It is all we can do to just take a deep breath, and hope desperately for something more, to hope the era did not die in vain. I can only pray that with Teddy's guiding light and his memory will lead this country to providing healthcare for all.
RIP Teddy. You will be missed sorely.
I have always felt an affinity with the Kennedys. Though I am not at an age where I can remember their true power and influence, it is hard to imagine a time without them. It started with Jackie, who died when I was in grade school. This extraordinary woman was a style icon, but also a woman of conviction, who managed to rise above the worst of times to raise two of the most beautiful, respectable, incredible children, on her own. It was her style that captured my attention, it was her family that stole my imagination and heart.
It is easy to say the Kennedys were American royalty. President John F. Kennedy and his wife were known as Camelot and we spoke fondly of them for decades after President Kennedy's death. This family was Irish Catholic in a time when those of that nationality and faith were not accepted in most areas of society or politics. Up until President Kennedy, our presidents were what we might call WASPs. But with President Kennedy, the second choice of his father, a new era of American politics was started. I believe it is because of President Kennedy that we now have an African-American man as President.
I remember reading about the Kennedys, and I remember so clearly John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s death at all too early of an age, just like his father and his uncle. There have always been talks about curses for the Kennedy family, for Camelot. And it was not hard to beileve. So many of the young men in this family have been taken before their time, and yet, Teddy continued to thrive and strive. Through his hardships and scandals, he rose to be the Lion of the Senate, a true figurehead of both American politics as well as his family. Could Joe Kennedy have predicted this? I don't think so. And yet, this man with the loud booming Boston accent and deep liberal beliefs seemed to get the country, and his family through the hardest of times.
It devestates me to know that his one true want is being thrown about like a rag doll by two rabid dogs. He has wanted and fought for universal healthcare for all in this country, young and old, rich and poor, unemployed and employed. He fought for that basic right for nearly 50 years, and yet, today, lies and fear tactics surround it now. I wonder if he laughed it off, or if he was as infuriated as I have been. Or if in his last days, he stopped being Senator Kennedy and just went to being Teddy, living out the remainder of his life with the knowledge he has lived a full and compelling life.
Watching the funeral service today is watching America bury an era. It is the final burying of Camelot. And though the family is large, it has been a family torn apart and asunder by tragedy and pain. They will rise, they will always rise, but today, it is simply hard to remember that. It is all we can do to just take a deep breath, and hope desperately for something more, to hope the era did not die in vain. I can only pray that with Teddy's guiding light and his memory will lead this country to providing healthcare for all.
RIP Teddy. You will be missed sorely.