Jun
22
Tim seemed like the kind of father we all strive to be. I sat in my room last night (the night of his unexpected death) and flipped from channel to channel watching and listening to each guest and each host say the same things about Mr. Russert. They all had this respect for Tim and the way he managed his career and the way he loved his family. Deep down we all want people saying these things about us when we pass. I now wish I would have known more about Tim while he was here. He seems to be a lot like the way people describe my grandfather to me; genuine and sincere. The person you see on television is the person you get in real life. We all know that statement is never totally true but some people are able to be closer to who they are on TV or in person. My grandfather was great at making it easy for everyone to understand the sport of auto racing. Tim Russert had this same quality in a much broader audience. From what I have heard about or read about him since his death is that within the world of politics he could make everyone understand. He could ask the hard question and get the hard answer. People seemed to want to tell him more than they would ever divulge to anyone else. I think it is amazing that he could use this style in the tough arena of politics and the other personal issues he covered. I am an XM subscriber so I had actually listened to 60/20 Sports, a show hosted by Tim's son, Luke and James Carville. I have not had a chance to listen lately but I am sure I will listen the next time I catch it on. It sounded like Luke and his father were very close. One reason I liked to listen is to hear how Luke handled the pressure that comes along with the spotlight. I learned by hearing Luke. I didn't realize just how famous his dad was at the time but I knew their family was well respected. Luke would do a good job and at times expose a lot more about his personal life than I thought he would. Maybe I can learn to lighten up a little if I keep listening to Luke's show. The death of Tim Russert struck me a little different than some other celebrity death do. I have no connection to his family but they remind me a lot of my own family. I can't imagine the pain his family is dealing with. He also seemed like the guy that would want people to continue on with their lives; almost like he would not want to burden anyone with his death. I can imagine him telling each of us to get on with our lives but he would want all of us to continue to learn from him. I know I will pick up a book or two of Tim's. There are probably many good lessons to be learned from his wisdom.