I want to express my sorrow on the death of your husband. In listening to the spoken tributes at the Library, something happened to me that I want to share with you. For the first time I began to see your husband without the filter of the death of Mary Jo Kopechne. That incident had always epitomized for me the story of a rich kid who, because of family and political connections, walked away from the just consequences of his action.
This week, in hearing about a human being who, among other things, weekly read to young children in school, who was present to the families of all those Massachusetts citizens who died in Iraq or Afghanistan, and who maintained a genuine relationship with those of opposite political convictions, I was stunned.
I discovered that I had kept him encased in the mistake made so many years ago, while he had moved his life into a vitality for his family, for the Senate and for the nation. He exemplified what I call ‘the awesome tenacity of the human spirit.’
Death intrudes, leaving sorrow and grief in its wake. Yet death can also cause some to rework their priorities and to heal relationships. Teddy’s death has caused me to consider my thoughts about others, especially others of whom I am critical.
With the memories of your husband, the support of the family, and the gratitude of so many, I hope you find these days enticing you into them with anticipation and joy.
Robert Tucker
August 2009
