Senator Kennedy died Tuesday following a battle with brain cancer. The remembrances I have heard from his colleagues in the Senate, and from others who knew him, are universally warm, and describe a person who may have been wealthy, but was down-to-earth; who may have had privilege but worried about his constituents who were not as fortunate; who had immense power but worked until the end of his life for those who needed his help the most.
Ted Kennedy was a man whose heart was in the right place; he was in politics for the right reasons. He certainly has shown personal failings, but when he could have quit and just gone sailing he kept his head down, became a legislative workhorse in the Senate, and in the process had a career and earned a legacy that may never again be matched by any other Senator.
While most of us dream of the day that we can retire, Senator Kennedy worked almost until the day he died at 77, doing a job he loved, surrounded by family, colleagues and constituents who had genuine affection for him. Now that's the way to go.
Rest in peace, Senator.
