Tim Russert will be missed
Normally, I'm a very calm person. I keep myself level-headed, with my emotions never too high or too low. I maintain an optimistic outlook on life and do my best to keep a positive attitude in all that I do.
Today, I'm having difficultly living life as usual. Today, I'm greatly saddened, still recovering from the shock when I first heard of the news. This hit way too close to home. Literally.
Renowned journalist and political analyst - and Buffalo, N.Y. native - Tim Russert passed away today. The NBC Washington Bureau Chief, best known for being moderator of the Sunday show "Meet the Press," apparently died of a massive heartattack. He was 58.
First, the incident brings back bad memories for my entire family. My paternal grandfather died of a massive heartattack at the age of 47. Coincidentally, I learned today that he and Tim shared a birthdate: both born on May 7th. Both were born in Buffalo, were Irish, and were Catholic. Both were hardworkers, very personable, and left their families far too soon. I never knew my grandfather, yet I often think about him and what he was like.
Beyond that eerie sort of irony, Tim's death came as a huge shock, as any death like this does. But it bothers me because he's not supposed to go like this, first of all, and I feel like I knew him.
He was so full of life - he LOVED life. He was a confident man who was never afraid to stand up for what he believed in. His voice was crystal clear and unmistakable. His work as a journalist was top notch - as so much of the outpouring of national reaction today says, "the best in the business." He was a great listener, a great conversationalist, and a relentlessly hard worker who took pride in all that he did. (And it's hard still to write about him in the past tense.)
How could he die?
He's one of those people you just expect to always be around. To live to his 90s, to continue his career until he was old. He's a staple of American journalism. And most importantly, I identify with him so much. So, so much that I never truly realized it until today. It all just hit me at once, as soon as the managing editor at my current employment broke the news to us all at about 3:50 p.m. "Tim Russert has died," I heard him call across the newsroom. We were all in shock.
I'm not sure I admire a journalist more than him, and for the longest time I've always wanted to meet him. What I liked about him most besides his professional work was that he was so personable, so grounded, and always stayed true to his Buffalo roots. And now I'll never get the chance to meet him - not in this world, anyway.
Of course, those local ties are a huge part of why this has affected me the way it has. He's a Buffalo native, a devout Catholic, and a huge supporter of the Buffalo Bills and fan of the Buffalo Sabres. Check, check, and check - we have all three things in common. While I am nowhere near the journalist Tim was, I'd love to be like him someday. Not that job specifically, not necessarily that much in the limelight either, but I'd love to just live my life and do my work the way he always did. I'll definitely work toward that going forward.
Buffalo is crying today. Everywhere you go, it's all people are talking about. How could this happen? How could it happen just two days before Father's Day - Tim after all loved his own father so much, wrote a book about him, and spent time with him just last weekend?
I was a bit taken back by the response around town, actually. When I turned the radio to drive home from work around 4:45, it's all every station was talking about. The part that really got me was when I put on WGR 550 - the local Sports Radio Station, official station of the Sabres - and that's all they were talking about.
Then, it began to rain sometime after 6, and then it began to pour in the WNY area and the thunderstorms rolled in. It hasn't rained in days and it's been sunny and 80's and 90's for some time now; I couldn't help but think the storm was some sort of reaction to the news. Buffalo is truly, truly crying. I see the tears outside my window.
September 11th was when I first wanted to pursue a career in journalism. I realized how much I was in awe of the journalists in various media outlets across the country, and what important work they do - its huge role in society. Who was one of those journalists working relentlessly around the clock and conducting interviews? None other than Tim Russert. He did have an affect on me, absolutely he did. He inspired me and made me realize that someone from Buffalo can succeed. The more I got to know him over the years, the more I looked up to him. I admire much about him and can certainly call him a role model. And that's something that really bothers me. I've always known Tim, since I knew I wanted to be a journalist; he's always been there, and now he's not.
His passion for journalism, his passion for life, his commitment to family - of course, his faith as I mentioned before and his love for his roots in Buffalo -, I'll never forget him because we really do have a lot in common. It feels as though I did know him; I certainly believe in a lot of the same morals, qualities, and traditions that he does, and it hurts that he's gone.
What got me the most? Of the whole evening? Watching Buffalo native Wolf Blitzer discuss the event on CNN.
Seeing Wolf deliver the news really got my emotions going. Those are the two big guys, that as a journalist from Buffalo I can't help but look up to. Tim of course and Wolf's the other one. While Tim and I have a lot more in common, Wolf is from Buffalo too and he's another example of someone starting in this city with humble beginnings and being successful in life.
I could tell it took all of his being to keep his emotions in check while delivering the news, and it was gut-wrenching; it really hit home for me. His voice was wavering from time to time and he kept talking about Buffalo, Tim's commitment to Buffalo, his love for Buffalo sports, and so on. One Buffalonian going to bat for another, keeping him remembered and reminding the nation of the strength of our community. There's a true kinship between people from Buffalo. In the dreaded snow storms, the glorious (or disappointing) sports days, and days like today.
And then, Wolf reported some breaking news related to Tim's passing. A statement from the Buffalo Bills. As he read the words released by the Bills organization, I started balling my eyes out - crying, crying, and crying some more. I can't even remember the last time I cried. I don't cry. To see my city, and everything I love about it, so much in the spotlight. And to see our city's native son, who promoted us so much, and who succeeded on such a high level - and someone in the same profession as I'm about to pursue - it just really, really got to me.
I'll leave with this comment from WGRZ.com - from an "sjci98." It hit me particularly hard because I couldn't agree with it more, and it's an appropriate way to end this:
"Tim Russert was a typical Buffalonian - hard-working and passionate about what he did! He was a tireless promoter of the city, sports teams, and everything else that is Buffalo. In addition, his love for his family; his father and his son particularly was evident. He will be missed greatly. Tim Russert: one more reason I am proud to be from Western New York!"
Today, I'm having difficultly living life as usual. Today, I'm greatly saddened, still recovering from the shock when I first heard of the news. This hit way too close to home. Literally.
Renowned journalist and political analyst - and Buffalo, N.Y. native - Tim Russert passed away today. The NBC Washington Bureau Chief, best known for being moderator of the Sunday show "Meet the Press," apparently died of a massive heartattack. He was 58.
First, the incident brings back bad memories for my entire family. My paternal grandfather died of a massive heartattack at the age of 47. Coincidentally, I learned today that he and Tim shared a birthdate: both born on May 7th. Both were born in Buffalo, were Irish, and were Catholic. Both were hardworkers, very personable, and left their families far too soon. I never knew my grandfather, yet I often think about him and what he was like.
Beyond that eerie sort of irony, Tim's death came as a huge shock, as any death like this does. But it bothers me because he's not supposed to go like this, first of all, and I feel like I knew him.
He was so full of life - he LOVED life. He was a confident man who was never afraid to stand up for what he believed in. His voice was crystal clear and unmistakable. His work as a journalist was top notch - as so much of the outpouring of national reaction today says, "the best in the business." He was a great listener, a great conversationalist, and a relentlessly hard worker who took pride in all that he did. (And it's hard still to write about him in the past tense.)
How could he die?
He's one of those people you just expect to always be around. To live to his 90s, to continue his career until he was old. He's a staple of American journalism. And most importantly, I identify with him so much. So, so much that I never truly realized it until today. It all just hit me at once, as soon as the managing editor at my current employment broke the news to us all at about 3:50 p.m. "Tim Russert has died," I heard him call across the newsroom. We were all in shock.
I'm not sure I admire a journalist more than him, and for the longest time I've always wanted to meet him. What I liked about him most besides his professional work was that he was so personable, so grounded, and always stayed true to his Buffalo roots. And now I'll never get the chance to meet him - not in this world, anyway.
Of course, those local ties are a huge part of why this has affected me the way it has. He's a Buffalo native, a devout Catholic, and a huge supporter of the Buffalo Bills and fan of the Buffalo Sabres. Check, check, and check - we have all three things in common. While I am nowhere near the journalist Tim was, I'd love to be like him someday. Not that job specifically, not necessarily that much in the limelight either, but I'd love to just live my life and do my work the way he always did. I'll definitely work toward that going forward.
Buffalo is crying today. Everywhere you go, it's all people are talking about. How could this happen? How could it happen just two days before Father's Day - Tim after all loved his own father so much, wrote a book about him, and spent time with him just last weekend?
I was a bit taken back by the response around town, actually. When I turned the radio to drive home from work around 4:45, it's all every station was talking about. The part that really got me was when I put on WGR 550 - the local Sports Radio Station, official station of the Sabres - and that's all they were talking about.
Then, it began to rain sometime after 6, and then it began to pour in the WNY area and the thunderstorms rolled in. It hasn't rained in days and it's been sunny and 80's and 90's for some time now; I couldn't help but think the storm was some sort of reaction to the news. Buffalo is truly, truly crying. I see the tears outside my window.
September 11th was when I first wanted to pursue a career in journalism. I realized how much I was in awe of the journalists in various media outlets across the country, and what important work they do - its huge role in society. Who was one of those journalists working relentlessly around the clock and conducting interviews? None other than Tim Russert. He did have an affect on me, absolutely he did. He inspired me and made me realize that someone from Buffalo can succeed. The more I got to know him over the years, the more I looked up to him. I admire much about him and can certainly call him a role model. And that's something that really bothers me. I've always known Tim, since I knew I wanted to be a journalist; he's always been there, and now he's not.
His passion for journalism, his passion for life, his commitment to family - of course, his faith as I mentioned before and his love for his roots in Buffalo -, I'll never forget him because we really do have a lot in common. It feels as though I did know him; I certainly believe in a lot of the same morals, qualities, and traditions that he does, and it hurts that he's gone.
What got me the most? Of the whole evening? Watching Buffalo native Wolf Blitzer discuss the event on CNN.
Seeing Wolf deliver the news really got my emotions going. Those are the two big guys, that as a journalist from Buffalo I can't help but look up to. Tim of course and Wolf's the other one. While Tim and I have a lot more in common, Wolf is from Buffalo too and he's another example of someone starting in this city with humble beginnings and being successful in life.
I could tell it took all of his being to keep his emotions in check while delivering the news, and it was gut-wrenching; it really hit home for me. His voice was wavering from time to time and he kept talking about Buffalo, Tim's commitment to Buffalo, his love for Buffalo sports, and so on. One Buffalonian going to bat for another, keeping him remembered and reminding the nation of the strength of our community. There's a true kinship between people from Buffalo. In the dreaded snow storms, the glorious (or disappointing) sports days, and days like today.
And then, Wolf reported some breaking news related to Tim's passing. A statement from the Buffalo Bills. As he read the words released by the Bills organization, I started balling my eyes out - crying, crying, and crying some more. I can't even remember the last time I cried. I don't cry. To see my city, and everything I love about it, so much in the spotlight. And to see our city's native son, who promoted us so much, and who succeeded on such a high level - and someone in the same profession as I'm about to pursue - it just really, really got to me.
I'll leave with this comment from WGRZ.com - from an "sjci98." It hit me particularly hard because I couldn't agree with it more, and it's an appropriate way to end this:
"Tim Russert was a typical Buffalonian - hard-working and passionate about what he did! He was a tireless promoter of the city, sports teams, and everything else that is Buffalo. In addition, his love for his family; his father and his son particularly was evident. He will be missed greatly. Tim Russert: one more reason I am proud to be from Western New York!"