Last Goodbyes To Ed Bradley
This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.
We said our last goodbyes to Ed Bradley yesterday morning at the Riverside Church here in New York.
Riverside, which seats about 2,000 was packed. It's a magnificent cathedral and the words both spoken and sung were inspirational.
One of Ed's best friends from Aspen, Dick Butera, asked what the world would be like if everyone were like Ed.
How true. For Ed was a man without enemies. Even his rivals were his friends.
As we listened to his colleagues and loved ones, we appreciated even more how fortunate we were to have Ed in our lives. A life like Ed's was a gift to the world.
That's why the famous (President Clinton and Bill Cosby and Charlayne Hunter-Gault) but also the anonymous (security guard Darryl Kemp and staff without title) were there in church to mourn together.
Wynton Marsalis' trumpet wailed with pain and while we are thankful for Ed's life, we know there is no real cure for the heartache we feel.
Harry's daily commentary can be heard on many CBS Radio News affiliates across the country.