Growing up in New England, I certainly felt a part of the Kennedy mystique -- and I've always respected Eunice as an Eleanor Roosevelt-like character. Part of a famous family, in the spotlight, she managed to raise some amazing children, stand equal with a powerful husband, and make a difference in the world.

Here's a look at her life, courtesy of CBS News:

I was always struck by her voice -- tinny, almost cartoonish, but full of power. She was able to both inspire and motivate not only strangers, but her own family.

The family released this statement after her death:

"She was the light of our lives, a mother, wife, grandmother, sister and aunt who taught us by example and with passion what it means to live a faith-driven life of love and service to others. For each of us, she often seemed to stop time itself -- to run another Special Olympics games, to visit us in our homes, to attend to her own mother, her sisters and brothers, and to sail, tell stories, and laugh and serve her friends."

That's a eulogy most of us dream about, so here's the message I'm taking away. It's never too late to get started. It's never too hard to make a difference. We're all citizens of the world, and we owe it to each other to pursue passions and help others in the process.

Today, I'm honoring Eunice Kennedy Shriver by listening to the words of people she inspired -- Dr. Lucky Meisenheimer, the man who opens up his heart and home to people who want to challenge themselves, and who teaches Special Olympians to swim, and Chris Klose, who helped found Peace Corps Encore, an offshoot of the program started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver's husband.


Farewell, Ms. Shriver. You touched my life.