I don't remember when I became a little curious about politics but I do remember who it was that stirred that little fire and it was Tim Russert. He had an infectious smile and made me think maybe, just maybe, I was wrong about thinking that one had to sell their soul to the devil to get to be president of the United States of America. Maybe.
I feel like I have been part of a Big Family this weekend as first the news came that Tim has collapsed and died Friday afternoon and then the Love... and there is no other word to describe it...that people from every way of life have lavished on Tim and his family. He had flown back from Italy after a celebatory trip with his wife Maureen and son Luke. Luke had just graduated from Boston College and Tim was so proud and looking forward to so much more.
This is a guy who was loved and knew how to love. He loved kids and when asking someone how they were doing, he always asked about their families. He was a Story teller and the Stories that have been told in the last few days need to be bound and made into a book.
Tim so dearly loved his hometown of Buffalo, New York. He sponsored a kids team and they went clear to state. They came home in a blinding snowstorm and because Tim was in town, visiting his dad for the weekend, he met them down at that bus station, in that terrible weather, to congratulate them. So many Stories and in each of them a glimpse into a man's love of faith, family and fellow man. His son Luke told Matt Lauer this morning, There's not a day that goes by that I have not known my father's love...
Luke says that his dad's Meet The Press chair now belongs to him and he will keep it forever. It's my chair now. He has come a long way. Sunday, I saw a clip of Tim talking about his famous white board and how the night after, Luke gave him a call and asked if he could have it. Tim was so touched that his son would want something seemingly so insignificant but laughed out loud when he found out that Luke saw the financial potential of the whiteboard on Ebay.
Bruce Springsteen said that Tim was a lovely presence.. Tom Brokaw and Matt Lauer have broken down in tears. The emotions have been running high at MSNBC. This photo was taken yesterday after the MTP tribute show. There can be more greater tribute to one, who had loved deep and was loved deep. Pal, Go get em ...
