Share Ted Kennedy Stories

IT seems that all of the news commentators have a story about Senator Ted Kennedy, each ending with laughter or awe or compassion. And I notice that they speak of him in the present tense...something I have never noticed. Now I invite you to share your Senator Ted Kennedy story here with mine.

FIVE years ago Ted Kennedy was the featured speaker at a Families USA (The Voice for Health Care Consumers) Conference that I attended in Washington, D.C. Punctual to a fault, I arrived at a room with 500 empty seats. So I took advantage and secured a place in the second row, directly in front of the stage.

THEN I notice Senator Kennedy sitting next to the podium. Just the two of us in that bare room. I have always been in awe of anyone who can clasp hands across the aisle to move powerful bills into being. And he has gained a history of bills that touch each of us. Bills for Wage Earners, Veterans, Social Security, Health Care as a Right, Drug Safety, Disability, Elder Care, Mental Health, Civil Rights, National Service. A life of good works.

AND Senator Kennedy looked up. Not a word passed between us. But somehow he made me feel beautiful. I don't know how that happened. But I have no doubt.

I held a throw-away camera to secure him along with all of the Capitol's monuments. But from the instant he spoke, his passionate words captured my attention. I had never heard such a charismatic speaker. My camera lay untouched.

AFTER he spoke, the media stood ready. As Senator Kennedy turned to the cameras, his charisma transcended time and space. And I understood.