Contemplation

We have been glued to the TV since yesterday afternoon when we first heard of the tragic and untimely death of Tim Russert. Watching Meet the Press on Sunday mornings while preparing for church has certainly been routine, if not tradition for our family. Even the boys catch portions of the show. It definitely sets up conversation for the day if not the week. Though I am a political junkie, Tim Russert has always been my favorite, hands down. He was hard hitting, but fair, to everyone. I felt I could count on him to cut through the spin and to shine a light on the truth of an issue.

Listening to the coverage and remembrances about Tim Russert, I have come to realize that there was so much more to him than political analyst. The glimpses we had over the years of his personality and the hunch we had that he was a genuinely good guy were all true. His tireless charitable work, his enthusiasm for his job, his integrity as a man, his abiding faith and his devotion to his family were real and sincere.

I was planning to do a blog post about my Daddy for Father’s Day. Ironically, I think this is it. That segue may not be clear in others minds, but it is quite clear in mine. So many of the comments and memories shared by Tim’s colleagues remind me of what people say about Daddy. The fact that within this larger than life persona resides not only a powerful man, but the boy of his youth. That someone with such ambition and drive could also be filled with a genuine love and concern for those around him - knowing the names of your children and remembering the details of your life. That men who can travel the world have the greatest love for the town of their childhood and have a great respect for their roots. In these ways, Daddy and Tim are cut from the very same cloth.

I remember distinctly 2 special events where some of these character traits were recognized in Daddy..... his inauguration at Truman and his retirement. People literally flocked to share their connection with and love for Daddy. I am so glad that those remembrances were shared in the presence of Daddy and of us, his family. What a gift we can give when we honor the living.

A few years ago I presented Daddy with a copy of Tim Russert’s book Big Russ and Me. It seemed a perfect gift for him because I recognized many of these similarities between Tim and Daddy, particularly a great love of family. On this Father’s Day weekend, my thoughts are somehow jumbled together.... giving great thanks to God for my earthly father and mourning the loss of someone who, though I did not know him personally, felt like a friend.