tim russert

Today was a normal friday for me. Work and life was going normal all of a sudden bam, Hani calls me and leaves me a message about the dead of Tim Russert. If you have not heard yet or are living under a rock, Tim Russert of NBC passed away today. Russert was not your typical news man. I remember the first sunday i ever watched Meet the Press. I was working at a gas station, which a lot of arabs do when they first come to the states, I worked Saturdays and Sundays. So Sunday mornings were slow business days. So i got to watch tv uninterrupted. The first political program i watched was Meet the Press. I loved the knowledge that Russert displayed. He also displayed so much kindness and grace to his guest. That did not mean that he backed away from asking the hard questions. He was man of faith and he was not shy about sharing that. You had an easy time watching him.

Personally, after the first time i saw Tim Russert i just kept looking forward to his shows and internviews. I am being truthful that the first memory that came to my mind when i heard the news today was the white board shot and me setting watching the 2000 Presidential election. I remembered staying up till 2 am and watching Russert signing off with not give us the viewers a clear answer about who the next president was. I still remember it tell now.  

He also was a great family man. I have been watching tv most of the night and i keep hearing interviews with him where he kept talking about his father (Big Russ) and son (Luke). Every time i see an interview where he mentions them, i see a little glare in his eyes. He was very passionate about them and proud to be part of there lives.  

As for his faith, he was a devout Catholic and from what i have read and seen. I also think he might have had a personal relationship with christ. I think that the best quote that would fit Russert's life would be "actions speak louder than words." 

So for the Russert family I am sorry for your lose and may God be very present in your grief. You are in my prayer.