Friday, June 13, 2008

Tim Russert ... dead at 58

Received a call while in a meeting this afternoon ... "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert had collapsed and died of a heart attack. I literally gasped out loud ... it was such a shock. He's young, he's busy, he's not finished with his life yet. He loved his son. He loved his dad and wrote a book about him. He loved his wife.

Life check.

These events are what make us pause and wonder why we put ourselves on the firing line, often alone against detractors. Family comes first ... and it's the political battles that are fought for others that make one wonder why we care. Ungrateful people who turn ... politicians who turn ... egos that are inflated by a little media attention ... perhaps those who have no families to ground them.

The death of a loved one leaves a huge empty place ... you expect to see them around every corner ... sitting on the porch ... smiling at you in the morning ... playing guitar and singing old familiar songs....

It is especially difficult for a young person to lose a dad ... that place is never filled again. The pain through the years may lessen ... but the place that dad had in that child's life will never be replaced. Ever.

Our prayers and thoughts go to the Russert family as they begin the difficult days ahead.

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