"Greatness comes with Shadows"

As my telly spews forth eulogies of the life of Ted Kennedy this title is one of the quotations that has stayed with me these recent hours. The others are “private actions affect public life” and “after he married Vicky he lost his demons” (BBC news interviews). Yes indeed, Life is complicated and thankfully, through the maze we CAN actually find our purpose.

Characteristically, amid the admiring praise for his numerous liberating legislations and outspoken declarations for social justice which have benefited the American people, the public still recalls tales of Ted Kennedy’s early womanizing and drinking. In the news, the ghosts of the scandal-tainted Chappaquiddick incident hover around his glorious accomplishments. But joy of joys, the Chappaquiddick incident - the darkest moment of his career - is also credited with eventually transforming him into one of the most highly regarded politicians in Congress.

The woman he married later on, Vicky, is credited with bringing out the best in him. Both were previously married with children, but had no children together, choosing instead to dedicate themselves to each other. She too had known scandal via her father (who had a conviction) and knew how to deal with its fallout gracefully. Quote “"And no one does a better job of protecting him, standing up for him, giving him good advice, even when he doesn't want to get it." said Sen Chris Dodd to ABC News in 2008. Quoting Vicki about marrying Ted: "I started to realize more and more that this man was very important in my life ... I just thought of marrying the man I was in love with and the family I had known. I didn't think beyond that." (NYTimes, 10/01/1992.)

Ted Kennedy himself said his life was about purpose and passion: his purpose was politics, but he found his passion in his marriage to Vicki. In calm waters as well as rough seas, Vicki Kennedy, was always seen at her husband's side, anchoring his public and personal life, with her trademark smile and strength. "Finding the love of his life … really did supply something that had been missing, and it showed," said Boston Globe political reporter Tom Oliphant on this morning’s news as I watched it, reflectively.

What does any of this have to do with Evelyn’s Eyes, you ask? Well, the news items remind me of the greatest human influence in my life – my late father who is never ever far from my mind. A great man who is still remembered by public figures (though he passed on many years ago), he is credited with being the epitome of a teacher who shaped the character of his students, without fear or favor – even of Sultans ha ha ha (who respected him, btw). One former Deputy Prime Minister still remembers him to his children today! The other side of the same coin was that he was full of fun and mischief – sometimes embarrassingly so when pretty women were around us, to the chagrin of my mother. Aha and ahem! But in private and in public he proudly and consistently treated ME as the centre of his universe – now wouldn’t you know that did not earn me any favors BUT it did give me confidence to always stand my ground regardless of any opposition. My father never ever let me down, though I – most regrettably - disappointed him many, many, times.

He and my mother were like chalk and cheese and she was strong and supportive of us in her own ways even though she was unlike our personalities. Today she still boastfully refers to me as a ‘chip of the old block’ who takes good care of her like my father always did, but whom she simply can’t understand. She doesn’t complain about that, though. Phew!

Yes people, this blog is a good excuse to pay tribute to both my parents who though great in different ways and each with their own shadows, have provided me with a stable compass to successfully navigate the perilous thunderstorms of Life, and - blessing of all - equipped me to share loving methods with others who are on their precarious journeys too. Am so thankful for my parents!