"My father was my best friend. . ."

Ok, so I know I am supposed to be jaded by the overexposure of Tim Russert's funeral, wake, etc. But, I am not. In fact, I watched a whole memorial service on tv this afternoon. It's really weird, my fascination with Tim Russert. Obviously the Buffalo connection is there, but there is more. I guess it comes down to this: how many sons can really say, "My father was my best friend" and mean it the way that Luke Russert appeared to today? I don't think many can. I hope that one day Oliver feels that way about Matty. The tie between parents and children is so curious. Sometimes it is a life line and sometimes it is a noose. Clearly, Luke Russert meant what he said and that amazed me. He also inherited the gift of Tim Russert--the awww shucks down home boy rhetoric, tinged though with a deep understanding of people and politics. I loved his speech at the memorial because the twinkle was in his eye, like his dad's. He made clever jokes--which sounds tacky--but it really was a tribute to just how cool a kid Tim Russert raised. He talked about a "Special Edition" of "Meet the Press " and paired up some really interesting head to head debates for Tim Russert to moderate. It is hard to describe, but it really stood out to me--as both a parent and a teacher. I hope that my kids could be so eloquent and gracious.

Anyway, that is all. I'm surprised how much this is holding me captive. I wonder if the new FMS insurance has enough shrink visits on it to figure that one out? :)

Amber