When I heard the news today that Tony Snow had lost his battle with cancer, I felt extreme emptiness. What a loss! I felt so much connection with Tony. Not only did we share our last name, but Tony shared his birthday, both day and year, with my sister Sherri. Sadly, Tony's life was taken by the same cancer as my own father, just a few years ago. So much about his death makes this loss so, so very emotional to me.
Tony was my very favorite news or media personality, not only because of his name and birthdate, but because he maintained such a firm, sensible and consistent presence without ever appearing combative. He was always kind when he didn't have to be. He was always smiling and pleasant in front of the camera and was a breath of fresh air in Washington... at least for me.
In much the same fashion as Tim Russert, another recent tremendous loss to America, Tony was "one of us" ... a boomer, our friend, our welcomed and level-headed inside connection. This event really should make us face our own mortality ... think of what we are doing to leave our own mark on the world.
I always listened to Tony when he had his syndicated radio show and he so often spoke so fondly of his kids, his dogs and how much he enjoyed his guitar-playing with friends in his basement...
You liked him. You looked forward to what he had to say.
As I look at this page through the mist of tears in my eyes, I feel tremendous sadness for his kids ... for Jill, his wife ... they are facing so much loss. I remember the dramatic emotion I felt with the loss of my own father and he was 67 ... I was an adult. Tony's life ended so early ... his 53rd birthday was just last month.
My prayers go out to Tony's family. I feel I've lost a family member. He has left shoes that can never be filled ...
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