Inside the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Boston.
I decided not to go to the area due to a stormy weather and non stop rain. I was able to see the services via television, all channels were showing it. The following are the things that caught my attention and/or touched my heart as well.
Known as the protector of the people, was able to, once more, gather the attention of people who went under the rain to wait for his casket to pass by and offer their respects. Tremont Street was closed so the people have to gather by the area of Roxbury Crossing as well as to the other end. The residents across the church had a better view.
When the casket arrived in front of the church, even though I was not able to hear it, the narrator said that people applauding could be heard from the distance.
When the representation of all the military branches removed the casket and went inside the church.
When Vicki together with other females of the family was placing the white dress over the casket.
The priest repeating: not to make Ted bigger than life, or bigger of what he was, and not to make him an idol.
I enjoyed the passion and touch of sentiment the cello player gave while playing during the ‘consecration of the bread’.
During all these activities for Ted I was able to see Kennedy-Smith and remember the scandal, but I was able to give credit to the power of family support and union, to guide a black sheep back to the tracks.
I truly enjoyed the Tanglewood Choir specially the last ‘amen’ that took over the entire basilica. I placed myself there to feel the vibration of that amen, together with the organ and looking up to the magnificent structures and painting.
During the ‘salute of the peace’ Vicki moved from her seat and walked to the other side, to the front row where the president and former presidents were sitting down and hugged and shake hands while the first Lady, Obama, was waiting to give her peace sign. I started to feel odd myself, then Vicki turned and kind of smiled at her and instead of a hug, she placed her hand on Ms. Obama’s arms preventing her to hug. The kiss was almost on their lips when Vicki didn’t move her face to the left.
On the same note when Vicki was done giving her sign of peace to the front row, she placed her hand over the first lady’s, and I said, ahhh.
I was surprised by the presence of Placido Domingo singing the “Panis Angelicus”.
But the moment I was waiting for, the ‘Ave Maria” by the soprano Susan Graham. Vicki seemed to be pleased when she closed her eyes and with a quasi smile took a breath while listening to beautiful performance.
On the same note I observed how Bill Clinton, smiling, also closed is eyes for a brief moment and moved his head showing admiration and pleasure of the performance as well. I observed the same thing with President Obama, who after a while was holding his left index finger over his lips. Was he preventing another smile?
During the Offer the children, grandchildren and other family members presented some of Ted ideas, these was a beautiful moment.
Ted Kennedy Jr.
I enjoyed the speech given by Ted Kennedy Jr. He expressed how proud he felt of sharing his name with his son and his father. He took this moment, once again, to reminded the world the things Ted loved; wine, cheese, arts, music, sailing, costume parties and woman (Vicki laughed at this comment), among other things. He shared the moment, that during his childhood he was diagnosed with bone cancer, feeling he might not be able to do much in life and his father, Ted, told him he will do whatever he wanted to do, and he remembered how his father, helped him to climb a snow mountain, at this moment his voice crack with emotion touching the audience, and me. “My father admired perseverance...he loved Boston”. Ted Jr.
“In order to do [good] in the future you have to understand the past.” Ted Kennedy; as his song continued describing how he took the time to take the entire family during vacation to historical sights in order to teach them.
In terms of character and as a given person, Ted Jr. remembered a time that his father left money in the bathroom of a hotel and he called it to his attention. Ted told him that the money was meant to be for the woman that was coming after them to clean, that the job was a back breaking and that the woman have a family to feed. He also described his father as a great grandfather and that he was grateful for having his father as long as he did. Ted Jr. made a funny comment when he said that his father let his legacy ‘to love republicans’, the audience laughed, including Bush Jr.
“Always be ready to compromised but never compromised your principles”, Ted Kennedy.
He died at Cape Cod, in happiness. “He wasn’t done, i pray today to set aside sadness and the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream will never die, and I miss you already.” concluded Ted Kennedy Jr.
Patrick Kennedy
“We lost our father.” was almost the beginning of his speech. He described how he suffered from chronic asthma that kept his father by his side. His father made sure that during vacation time Patrick could have the best room, smoke free which guaranteed his father as his roommate, the audience found this funny. He continued describing that having asthma was like hitting the jackpot for a child that wanted to have his dad closed to him. He described his father as his ‘magical figure’. Even with his rules of not having little children in the boat, he refuses to leave him behind by saying that read head boys could tag alone, just as he did with people without voices, Ted Jr. continued sharing.
“He never gave up and there was never quit in my dad. My dad came out a winner”, he expressed after seen all people waiting for hours to see his casket under the rain.
“Loving and devoting father” he said. From ‘Road less Travel’...’miles before i go to sleep’. “May your dream for a better and just America never die. You always will live in my hear for ever.” Patrick concluded.
President Obama
Gave the final presentation of the liturgy. “Today we say good by to the youngest child of Rose and Joseph Kennedy.” was the open remarks of the US President. He referred to Ted as the champion for those that didn’t have one, the soul of the democratic party, the big cheese, mentor, friend and colleague, a person with good humor.
Obama was able to recapitulate some of the tragedies that marked Ted’s life such as having children with cancer, the historical tragedies of his brothers, and surviving an airplane crash; pointing out that these events didn’t stop Ted from giving, who exposed to suffering made him more tender.
In the political aspect Obama mentioned the more than 300 laws passed by him in Congress like immigration, disability, health, among others making him the voice for those that have been not heard. Obama remembered Ted’s particular way of pounding his fist on the podium and his red face in a passion for his believes, so personal but at the same time keeping his person from his disagreements. “Seeking compromise and common causes made him the best senator.” Obama shared. One Saint Patrick day, when Obama was a witness of one of Ted’s accomplishments on a bill, he asked him how he did it and Ted just responded, “luck of the irish”, the audience laughed including Vicki.
Obama continued saying his giving heart will be missed, that he was a boss adored by his staff. He shared that the Kennedy family have made it through love. “We don’t know how long we have in here, what God’s [he hesitated] plans for us, live our lives the best we can, with a purpose, show how much we care for each others, ...some day when we look back we made a difference that impacted the life of others, the way Ted lived. We love this kind and tender hero.” Obama said, while remembering how he cared for the families surviving the 9/11.
“May God bless Ted Kennedy and may rest in eternal peace.” President Obama.
During the exit procession the choir sang ‘America the Beautiful” the audience also sang including Vicki, his widow.
Ted Kennedy 1932 - 2009
Coqueta
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