Twenty years and two months ago, I gave the eulogy at my father's untimely funeral. I noted that dad was never wealthy or famous. He was born a dairy farmer and made his way to a corner office on the 27th floor of downtown building. He and my mom raised four kids who all graduated college and got jobs without a single serious drug addiction or arrest. That is better than any Kennedy can claim. Whatever I achieve in life, I know that wouldn't be here without being able to stand on his broad shoulders.

I've raised my son as best I can and he will soon make his way into the world. I live by the motto that I want to give him enough to do something with his life, but not so much that he can do nothing with his life.