The Lion rests

The last time I saw Senator Ted Kennedy in person was exactly one year ago today. Very ill and against his doctor’s wishes, he traveled halfway across the country to address the delegates of the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

I, like most in attendance, was awed as I heard the great roar of the Lion of the Senate that evening. I was on my feet, and moved to tears. I’m sure everybody in the hall felt that way.

Many my age, born as the turbulent 60’s began, might feel as I do about the Kennedys. They of enormous family wealth, each clearly believing that their own family's opportunities weren't worth as much, unless everybody else had the same opportunities - those Kennedys certainly worked at a fever pitch. The tremendous victories and stunning personal failures of the Kennedys played out on the world's front pages for decades.

But today was the very first day of my entire life that I woke up knowing that there is no longer a legendary Kennedy fighting for me…fighting for everybody.

Those born into the Kennedy family were highly unlikely to themselves be in dire need of a responsive and responsible government. But each of them realized that other Americans need one, and they dedicated their lives to working for those other folks. Three of Ted Kennedy’s brothers even gave their lives in service to the country.

The youngest of that legendary generation of brothers is now gone – and shamefully, with important work unfinished. Who knows what leaders will fill the giant void of unshrinking and unapologetic higher purpose, when the headlines these days are filled with examples of Congressional Democrats who return home and immediately wilt like delicate flowers under the slightest crush of a single unpleasant town hall meeting?

Ted Kennedy didn't blink, and worked tirelessly for what he, that night in Denver, called "a better country, and a newer world." When he couldn’t run toward the finish line anymore, he walked toward it. And when he could no longer walk, he crawled, with unwavering clarity of purpose and uncompromising dedication to those he served. His enormous body of work, and lifelong record of accomplishment on behalf of others, speaks well of him, and also speaks volumes about the shortcomings of some others currently in Congress.

So, how’s your Member of Congress doing, in between all those ribbon-cutting ceremonies?

Rest in peace, Senator, after a job well done. Your equal may be a long time in coming.

Update: here's the podcast of KRLD Radio in Dallas, during their discussion of Senator Kennedy this afternoon. The station was kind enough to include my thoughts.