Tim Russert 1950 - 2008

I was shocked to learn of Tim Russert's death last night when I arrived home from work. I'm not a huge fan of politics but try to stay knowledgeable about what is going on as an educated professional. Basically, my knowledge of politics comes from what I get from the Today show and the evening news.

With that said, Tim Russert has been the biggest source of my knowledge of politics in my adult life as I almost exclusively watch NBC news and Tim Russert was their Washington Bureau Chief. I really liked this guy, as I think most people did. Tim Russert had the ability to talk with a smile on his face, even when discussing serious subject matter. It seemed like you could see right into his big heart through the smile he always carried on his face.

I also experienced again how we connect to the people we watch on television. I always laugh when I think about Terri running into Dawne Gee from Wave 3 in the mall one day. She said they were walking toward one another and Terri spotted her and immediately raised her hand to waive as if greeting a friend she'd know for years. It was at the moment her hand was in the air greeting Dawne that Terri realized Dawne had no idea who Terri was or why she would be greeting her.

We tease her about it but I have to admit, I nearly did the same thing a few weeks ago when I saw David McArthur of Wave 3 at the J-Town Business Expo. We invite these people into our homes nearly every day and get to know their personalities, their quirks, their humor, etc. When they pass, we are saddened.

I will miss Tim Russert and his take on politics and the world. I always trusted his interpretation and thought he presented politics on my level. But most importantly, he always seem to love life and had a smile on his face.