Remember the Life and Legacy of Tim Russert

Since hearing about the death of Tim Russert, I have been glued to the television watching and listening to everything being said.  I have been noting the words and phrases used to describe him:

• honest and of the highest integrity
• tough, but fair
• boyish charm
• smart
• generous with his time and sharing his expertise
• larger than life
• always prepared
• the greatest of the great
• at the top of his game
• joy in his work and his relationships
• authentic--the most authentic according to Tom Brokow
• never lost his roots
• can take the boy out of Buffalo, but not Buffalo out of the boy
• transparent
• connected with the audience
• knew who he was and never forgot it
• competitor
• highest ethics
• listened to everyone
• loyal friend
• great father and son
• great guy
• and the list goes on ...and on ...

People described how they had lost their leader, mentor, supporter, friend, colleague, teacher ..., but I did not hear anyone use the word boss.  It was clear that the people who worked with him and for him truly loved him.  Andrea Mitchell said that she could not imagine "life, journalism, or politics in America" without him.  She said she will always ask "what would Tim do."  Several commentators talked about men calling in and crying because they were going to miss him so much.  Numerous people said that Tim was "irreplaceable."

There are some people who come into our lives who really can't be replaced.  The world seems a little less friendly, less intelligent, less fun, less interesting ...Tim Russert was a sage.  What I would like to know is this:  How do you talk, ask questions, and smile at the same time?