Tim Russert R.I.P.

Very shocking to hear about the passing of NBC's Tim Russert.

I haven't watched Meet the Press for years, but I used to, every single week. When I heard the sad news on Friday, one memory of the show bubbled up right away. The moment didn't feature an interview of a politician, or any guest for that matter. It was about his family.

As I recall it the moment happened on a Father's Day broadcast, probably from 1997 or '98. Right before the final sign-off, Tim Russert reached into his buttoned up suit, pulled out his tie and faced the camera. He beamed a smile a mile wide as he pointed to the tie and said:

"I want to point out that I am wearing the tie my boy gave me this morning. I said I would, and I am. I win the bet I had with my son about it. You owe me a hug, buddy, and I'm coming home to collect!"

That brought a big smile to me then, and it does again this morning, as introspection pulls it out of the shadows of memory.

One of the best things that can be said about a man, is that he tried to be a good father. I'm pleased to hear from the many personal remembrances filling the news this weekend, that Tim Russert seems to have been a good father.

Whenever faced with great loss, I try and turn my mind towards the great gains that preceeded it, so that gratitude can help mitigate grief. (I was lucky to have a good role model for this behavior: my Dad.) I hope Tim Russert's family can do that with the unexpected grief they face on this Father's Day; there will be no more hugs, so treasure the ones you did get.

In the memory born of that gratitude you'll find the comfort of a perpetual embrace.