The Kennedy's

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Sad news on Ted Kennedy, huh? No matter what your political views are - you just hate to hear about something like that.

The Kennedy family has always been right at the forefront - up and center - right in our faces. The happy times and the tragic times have played out for everyone to see.

Yet I've always wondered if it were a family that was blessed or cursed. Did they party too hard and live too fast? Is it a family that thrives on love or is it all just bad luck, heartbreak and tragedy?

My brother was born on the day JFK was shot. As my mother rested in bed after his birth, she awoke to see a nurse in the room, crying - when my mother asked what was wrong the nurse said, "He died."

"Who died?" my mother screamed, believing it was the son she just delivered.

"The President," the nurse said.

My mother, angry for having holy hell scared out of her said, "Who gives a shit?"

We all seemed to give a shit - from JFK to Robert - to JFK Jr. - we followed their lives, watched them get married, get arrested, live rich and die like everyone else.

And now Ted - yet the news reports showed him in good spirits with an eye on the future. The Kennedy family has always been something of a royal family, haven't they?

Love 'em or hate 'em - you can't ignore them and when you think about it, really think about it, they captured our attention because they're like Americans in general - party too hard, live and love, tragedy and heartache.

Sort of mirrors exactly what it's like to be alive.

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