big tim

Now Tim is gone, at age 58 — at a moment when he had everything to live for, professionally and personally. But thanks to his book, “Big Russ & Me,” he had lived to see his father, whom he revered, recognized as an embodiment of the hard work, patriotism and decency of the greatest generation. Tim was happy that he had encouraged others to recognize our debt to that generation, and to their own fathers. As Tim said to Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show,” “Jay, as I’ve gone around the country, people line up to get their book signed, they’ll say, ‘Make it out to Big Mike, Big Fred, Big Tom, Big Al’ … There’s a lot of big guys out there. There really are.”

Tim also lived to enjoy the college graduation last month of his son, Luke, of whom he was very proud. To celebrate the occasion, Tim, his wife, Maureen, and Luke visited Rome. They attended the Wednesday audience with Pope Benedict XVI, then had lunch with Cardinal John Patrick Foley, who had baptized Luke. As the lunch ended, Tim asked the cardinal to bless them.

In high spirits, Tim headed back to Washington to prepare for his Sunday show. It was not to be. On Friday, Tim’s heart gave way. He died too young. But he lived more than a full life — a life overflowing with achievements, and friendships, and love, and joy.

i love simple line drawings with a bit of the cross hatch…