IN MEMORY of Tim Russert, and Others Less Easily Remembered
I have been touched, today, by all the remarkable tributes to Tim Russert, NBC Bureau Chief and Moderator of Meet the Press. Most Sunday mornings, his voice has been "background entertainment" while I’ve done household chores. He was a fixture whom it was hard to imagine wouldn’t grace television news and debate well into old age.
Tim’s sudden heart attack yesterday was yet another reminder to all of us that life is precious and we can’t have complete control, especially over its endings. When someone as unique and admired as Tim is gone from our world in moments, without warning or preparation, we are stunned and ache. From President Bush to regular viewers, everyone seems to have a reflection to offer, a deep fondness for this role model and outstandingly successful professional who remained a very down-to-earth family man and personal friend to so many. My sincere condolences to all those dear to him. He will be sorely missed.
At times like this, it’s hard not to think of more private individuals too, and their endings—those who haven’t enjoyed public success or recognition in their lives, those without family and friends who’ve supported and encouraged them. When their time comes, will it be recognized how their lives were meaningful or how much they could be missed? How might things have played out differently for them, given a chance, voice, or simple luck?
It’s clear that we all leave our mark on the world in different ways, others’ impressions shaped by how we’re remembered or forgotten. The following poem is dedicated to those who pass in greater silence and anonymity. Maybe there was more to say about them, but there was no one to say it? Maybe their lives could have been happier and more fulfilled, but there was no one to spur them on? What might they have said if they could have written their own eulogies? Perhaps this is one possibility?
AFTERWARDS
I was on top of the world
Or so you thought
Had achieved milestones,
Or so you thought
You didn’t know me well
You didn’t want to
You didn’t take me seriously
Though I asked you to…many times
You thought that I had more bounce-back than I did
You thought that I was stronger than I was
You thought that the day would never come
The day when I would succumb
I never did give up
Until now
I never did know how
Until now
I never wanted to
Hung on in the hope that things could change
More active
Less reflective
No, that didn’t work
More reflective
Less active
That didn’t work either
Needed, yes I was
If it was all about you
Admired, yes I was
If I lost myself in what I did
It was all up to me.
