A non-partisan ...editorial

I was watching the Teddy Kennedy Remembrance on CNN Friday night, and I was surprised with the many shared memories given by a host of people. A [24 hour] sailing story recanted by a friend of Ted who had never been sailing before had me laughing out loud. Senators from both political parties stood up to tell a story, explain a series of unbelievable events [sometimes political and sometimes personal], and reminisce about occasions where Ted Kennedy was all about moral support to so many people...most of which had been known to no one but themselves. And then I listened to the speakers at the funeral service and I was, again, moved by his attentiveness to his kids. One son spoke of his father's strength in helping him overcome the fear and frustration of adapting to a prosthetic leg, and Ted's other son had severe asthma which resulted in many bedside encouraging words. And then there were the many nieces and nephews whose fathers had died unexpectedly that Ted tried to be there for them when he could. And finally, last night I had the TV on as I was about to sleep, and CNN aired an HBO special about Ted Kennedy. He certainly had many, many tough times in his life.

And now...here's my point:

It's too sad that people get judged by one event in life which is generally a bad, sad, or negative experience. And being in the public eye means that nothing remains private. I am in no way minimizing or condoning the accident that became Ted's most public heartache. I merely think that we need to remember that the media sells the bad news. Is it because good news doesn't seem to be as compelling?

We never know what is in our future. There are events in every one's life that are better left unpublished. Sometimes you get a do-over, but other times there is no undoing the pain or reversing the actions already set in motion. And sometimes it is the failure, bad decision, or accident that becomes the identifying measure of a person's life.

I learned many things this weekend...about Ted Kennedy...and human nature itself.

I guess that what I am advocating is to 'speak kind words' [and you will hear kind echoes] ... Truth said in jest and sarcastic humor are not without inflicted pain. And lastly, refuse to further the bad news of someone's misfortune. Is there anything positive to be gained by this?

Spread some glad, instead. It's healthier.