I have to confess that over the last several days, I have been wondering about my own sanity. On Friday, when I learned of the death of Tim Russert, I felt like someone had just punched me in the stomach. After all, I did not know Tim Russert and I had never met him. Why did this feel like a death in my own family?
Today, while watching his memorial service it became apparent that I was not alone. Tim Russert became a member of all of our families, and now I realize he was a part of mine. I have to admit to being an avid watcher of Meet The Press, but Tim was much more than just a Sunday news host. I will never forget his shameless promotion of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres. Each time he broke into that devilish grin and wished his teams luck at the end of his show, you knew this was a real guy.
I was riveted each time he was interviewed about his book, Big Russ and Me (and the others that followed). How rare it is today to see a man with so much success, cling to his blue collar values and pay such a wonderful tribute to his father. Tim could barely recite a story about his own son without choking back tears. In Washington, a city of hypocrites and hucksters, where do men like Tim Russert come from? I have no doubt that Tim was the Christian that his closest friends described him as. Tim Russert loved people and people loved him.
There is little wonder why the news of his death moved cab drivers, janitors, construction workers, and total strangers to tears. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Big Russ and Me and learn how to live from a real champion. If the measure of a man are the number of tears that are shed at his funeral, Tim was a giant. Today our tears are mostly for our own loss, knowing that men like Tim are never replaced. Thank you Tim for living a wonderful life, being an amazing example, and touching all of our hearts.
Your comments are welcomed below.
Timothy J. Russert May 7, 1950 – June 13, 2008
My main website is www.ChristianMoney.com
James L. Paris
