Godspeed, Ted

You're going to be missed. Your friends, supporters, and even your opponents came forward to say that you were larger than life, passionate, and committed. You never stopped fighting the good fight--many good fights--continuing on even when you were starting to fight the illness that eventually took your life.

I'm glad you never became president. If you had, you never would have been able to flourish with your imperfections. Some of your most important work never would have become reality. Despite your own privileged upbringing, you were always able to champion the cause of the average, working-class American, including the most downtrodden among us.

I was never what one would call a Kennedy fan or supporter, but I had a deep appreciation for the issues you were willing to take on as if each was a personal burden. If ever I had had the opportunity to meet you, I would have thanked you personally for your legislative work that made my life a bit easier to live. It wasn't limited to just one thing, either. I appreciated your ability to see the bigger picture and future impact when choosing your Congressional battles, particularly in your tenacious and hard-fought work to establish mental health care parity. It was an unpopular issue that you defended fearlessly and for that, you have my deepest gratitude.

Now, let the sails billow with a late summer wind heading toward the horizon.

Godspeed.