Obama on Kennedy's Legacy

“Though it is Teddy’s historic body of achievements we will remember, it is his giving heart that we will miss. He was the friend and the colleague that would pick up the phone and say I was sorry for your loss . . . to those who would never imagine that a U.S. Senator would take the time to think of them . . .

We cannot know for certain how long we have here. We cannot foresee the trials or misfortunes that will test us along the way. We cannot know what God’s plan is for us. But what we can do is live out our lives as best we can with purpose and with love and with joy. We can use each day to show those who are close to us how much we care about them. And treat others with the kindness and respect we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures and we can strive at all cost to make a better world. So that some day if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here we’ll know that we spent it well. That we made a difference. That our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of others. This is how Ted Kennedy lived. This is his legacy. He once said and this was already mentioned about his brother Bobby that he need not be idolized or enlarged in death because of what he was in life, and I imagine he would say the same about himself. The greatest expectations were placed upon Ted Kennedy’s shoulder because of who he was. But he surpassed them all because of who he became. We do not weep for him today because of the prestige attached to his name or his office. We weep because we loved this kind and tender hero who persevered through pain and tragedy. Not for the sake of ambition or vanity. Not for wealth or power. But only for the people and the country he loved. “

President Barack Obama
Eulogy of Senator Ted Kennedy
August 29, 2009