I was able to go through the great kindness of the woman who ran Senator Kennedy's Boston office for fifty years. She and I had been in touch for about eight years and she was able to get me a ticket to this glorious event. Of course, I was exhausted by the end of the day because to get there for the shuttle buses that would take us to the event, I had to get up at 5:00 a.m so that I could leave by 6:00 a.m, to arrive no later than 8:00 a.m. Quite a task, but I did it.
To say that getting the shuttles was an adventure is an understatement because I did not know that I was supposed to get a yellow wristlet at Bayside parking area. Therefore, I got on a bus without it. As a result, I had to return to Bayside. I was so aggravated!! To say the least!! And the security was so tight - we changed buses a few times, even though we were credentialed!
But the upside was that I met so many great people. One was the caretaker of the Kennedy Hyannisport house, which is now part of the Institute. I showed her pictures of a fundraiser at the Compound in 2006 for Deval Patrick and she loved them. A great memory, that is for sure.
I cannot say enough how moving the day was for me and how wonderful the program was for all of us. My favorite was Vice President Joe Biden. (But then, of course, he is one of my favorites and I wish that he would run for President.) He took so much time out of his day to be with us and to talk so beautifully about Senator Kennedy, whom he obviously loved.
And when he dedicated the Senate Chamber - well, he was the greatest, that is all that I can say. Such a spectacular job of introducing the past and present senators, as well as the young people who spoke the words of past senators. Biden really made me feel his love for the place - it seems as if it is a sanctuary for him.
But that is not to say that I did not think the other speakers were not moving, too. I have never seen Senator Markey so impassioned. He comes from Malden where my mother and her family grew up and he knew my family. (My uncle was a city councillor there in the 1950's and knew President Kennedy when he was a senator at that time.) Senator Markey clearly loved Senator Ted Kennedy.
And I loved President Obama - I think he is the greatest - and when he said that he owed Senator Kennedy a lot - well, he said it with his whole heart. Just beautiful. The others were terrific, too, but the most lovely and gracious was Vickie Kennedy. Just so dear and I can see why Senator Kennedy was so proud of her. I watched her on OTR on Sunday and she was such a great representative of the Institute. Totally terrific.
And I do not want to leave out Brian Stokes Mitchell, the Boston Pops and the Children's Chorus - so perfect for Senator Kennedy.
The tent was terrific. The food was wonderful and the people that I met were so much fun! I was able to go to the Institute after the program and I loved it. I was amazed at how cozy the Senate chamber is - just as Biden had said. Unfortunately I forgot to see Senator Kennedy's office - I was so tired by then - but I shall go back to view it., And, of course, the food there was terrific, too.
So, Mashpee again made it possible for me to be part of a grand and glorious occasion. You can have the same kind of great times if you purchase our seventeen acres. Just the most perfect spot on Cape Cod!
