SubscribeI hope that all of you dads out there were able to enjoy a special day with loved ones doing the things that matter to you most. The kids and I celebrated the Dad in our house with a day of fun in the sun, including a waterfront picnic and a round of pig-pile on freshly cut grass. The giggles were priceless!
This Father’s Day also felt a bit somber as we morned the loss of Tim Russert. Although I didn’t know him personally, he definitely has impacted my life.
To me, he personified passion, in work and in life. As a young person, I was disinterested in politics. Perhaps it was the endless hours of talk radio that I was subjected to in the car with my dad. As he would listen so intently on AM radio, I would marvel at how he could take in any of it, given all of the static. As I grew into adulthood, my dad would often joke about my seeming distain for politics. It just wasn’t quite my cup of tea. But, as I matured, I eventually tuned in, and Tim Russert was one major reason.
His passionate and intense approach to the issues inspired me to sit up a little straighter while viewing. I always felt a little smarter after viewing Meet The Press. Prior to having kids, it was regular viewing in our house. With kids came more complicated schedules that conflicted with the Sunday morning ritual, but I looked forward to catching up with the replay on the local cable news network. Whenever there was something brewing in the political realm, I always tuned in to NBC hear Tim’s perspective. I cannot imagine this election season without him.
Above and beyond his enormous societal contributions, Tim Russert had a significant impact on my own relationship with my Dad. Like so many others, my Dad was also a fan of Tim Russert and Meet the Press. I was able to connect with my Dad on the hot political issues of the day, thanks to Tim and Meet the Press. An investment of an hour of my time would reconnect me with the important issues and challenges facing our nation and the people involved. I always feel a little closer to my Dad when I share his knowledge and interest in political issues. It creates a special bond between us, especially since we moved to this political Mecca that is Washington, DC.
On this Father’s Day, I’m fortunate that I was able to call my Dad in Massachusetts first thing this morning to let him know that he is loved. I am sad that Tim’s family was unable to do the same.