The Kennedy's are indeed an American Icon. Yesterday, Scott, Judy and I went to John Adams and John Quincy Adams birthplace and homes. It was really wonderful and more people should visit it. We were talking about Ted Kennedy and the three of us agree that his time would be soon. Little did we know that it would be that night. Sometimes it seems that the Kennedy name was bigger then life itself because you would hear about them all the time. But as family members passes away it seemed to have quieted down to just Ted. I got to see him in the Senate in DC when the kids and I traveled around the USA in 1985. I was excited to see him and to meet the speaker of the house. The kids were not that impressed. I wonder sometimes if growing up here in New England gives one a keener touch to our nations historical sites. Living here as a child, I did not take for granite the history that was here. It was more of a special feeling the you received for seeing how your country began and all the history right here where you could visit, touch, see and feel. Moving to CAL. it seems that the people there don't have that same bond. It's like that first hand history is out of touch for them. I lived there for 50 years and the history there is so different. Even though they learn about the founding of this country, they are removed from it and it seems to be words on pages in a book. No connection. One of the best things that happen to kids there if they are lucky, is to travel with their classmates to DC for a week. But they still miss out on the history that MA has to offer. I feel more of a connection with the founding fathers and what they fought for. Ted Kennedy will be one of those icons who will be missed because he did know how to make his presence known and he did fight for the people of MA. Just my musings.