CNN iReport

Losing Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy is difficult.  The loss of his life is one that will mark Washington D.C. with tragedy this week. Edward Kennedy was the kind of person who had a difficult life that wasn't always shared with the public eye.

In 1963, his brother John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  Losing a brother, a brother was President of the United States of America was difficult.  In 1968, his brother Robert F. Kennedy was murdered  allegedly by Sirhan Sirhan.  Losing two brothers who were politically respected, must have been difficult.  On top of that, he had a family of his own and many  nieces and nephews who were left without fathers due to the deaths of his brothers.  His sisters had children as well.

In the 1970's and the 1980's many people speculated ath Senator Edward Kennedy might attempt to continue the Kennedy legacy and plan a run for president.  In 1984, when Walter Mondale ran for president, people were surprised that Senator Edward Kennedy didn't plan a big Washington D.C.blitz for the White House. He was a young man in his prime. He didn't make a big dash for the White House in 1988 either.

Not ever sitting in the White House as president was probably not that life altering for Kennedy.  Serving in the United States Senate for over 35 years and holding together the Kennedy legacy despite post 1990's Kennedy tragedy's such as the resurgance of Michael Skakel and the Martha Moxely trial in conjunction with the tragedy of the death of John F Kennedy Jr, his wife Carlyn Bessette and her sister was tough.  John F Kennedy Jr. and his wife and sister in law were killed in 1999 when the plane that they were flying crashed into deep water when he was flying them to the wedding of his cousin Rory Kennedy.

Senator Edward Kennedy was a democrat who was very respected by his political party.  He continued to be active in the past two years despite being diagnosed with a brain tumor and cancer.  Last year or sometime this year I lose track he even found time to speak at a college and despite poor health he managed to attend the inaguration of President Barack Obama and he managed to return to the Senate.

Its sad that he has passed away.  The Kennedy tragedies are mounting for 2009 with the announcement that Eunice Shriver passed away only coming a few weeks ago.

Senator Edward Kennedy will be missed.