re: #71 SteveC

How many jokes have been told about Senator Kennedy’s close personal relationship with alcohol? More than I can count - and I’ve added a few to the total number myself.

But when you consider that the man has lost almost his entire family, some of them very violently, and has borne much more than his fair share of grief, it’s not surprising that he drank.

I hope your friends and family were with you at the end… and that they still are.

Uh- yeah. I’ve known others, and the burden of grief certainly can lead to substance abuse. He could have given in completely, but fought that too. For all my other issues with the man, his inner strength is what stands out for me tonight. That kind of grief isn’t an easy cross to bear, but he did and better than most would have in his shoes.