The Today Show

The Today Show is killing me this morning...but it's all good. On Saturday, Matt Lauer did a special tribute show, in honor of Tim Russert, who died suddenly of a heart attack, at age 58...2 days before Father's Day and shortly after his son, Luke, graduated from Boston College and then the family took a vacation to Rome, to celebrate. He had flown home early, to prepare for his weekly Sunday morning show, Meet the Press, which he had been doing since 1991 (I'm thinking my dad watched it, if it wasn't in competition with Sunday Morning). From what I understand, he was a wonderful man. He broke down what was going on in the political world, for the common man and he did it with honesty and integrity. He was a family man first, who loved his son and wife and had a special relationship with his dad, Big Russ. He wrote a book about his dad and got such a terrific response from it, he wrote another one, with the letters from everyday people, paying tribute to their fathers. I'm going to read both of them this summer. I would suggest taking some time and learning about this fine man.

Matt Lauer did an interview with Tim's son, Luke, and showed a mini-recap of his life. Here is just one link, you can find many others. If you go to it, click on the TodayShow button and watch some of the video clips that pay tribute to this fine man:

http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/14/1143062.aspx

"The best exercise for your heart, is to bend down and pick someone else up." A quote from Tim Russert, that summed up his life!

THEN...as if I wasn't emotional enough, they interviewed John Atkinson, the everyday man who got to play golf on the course the US Open is played on. He is 39 years old, a loving husband and father of 3 young children (his middle child is named Andrea, so he must be alright!)...he has never smoked a day in his life, and yet he has stage 4 lung cancer. This happened to my Grampy too, but he lived a long life of 84 years. It's just so unfair, unjust... tragic. If you'd like to know more about him, he is making a documentary and here is the link:

http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/features/feature_usopen.html

And article about him:
http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/features/special_feature_john_atkinson.htm

"I think the most emotional moment was on the 18th hole, when he and his brother and his family all embraced on the green. We all started crying, it was very moving." Matt Lauer said about the experience of golfing with John (& Tony Roma & Justin Timberlake).

Did I mention that I had 5 kids over here this morning? We had a good time though--they all get along so well. Be thankful for the life God has blessed you with...tell your children you love them everyday...and show them too! Hug those you love a little longer and take time to call people or e-mail them or write them a real card and send it in the mail! Love your family and friends and your Lord with all of your heart...pray for them...take care of yourself, so you can enjoy them for as long as God allows you to be here. Thanks for stopping by...sorry for the rambling...just feeling some loss here, but I am so thankful for the life I have been blessed to lead...the people who have come into it have touched me and made me who I am...good and bad! With love, andrea