Senator Jim Inhofe (R. OK) recently opened up about his son's death:
http://www.politico.com/...
Inhofe’s son, Perry, died in November when the small, single-engine plane he was flying crashed in Oklahoma. The senator said that even with a family that numbers 20 children and grandchildren, the loss of one is still profound.
“You miss one, and it’s not whole anymore, and so that’s still probably always going to be a difficult thing to face up to, and it’s a reality,” he said. “You think about those things that Perry did that nobody else does, and that’s the thing that will be missed.” - Politico, 12/22/13
Inhofe also stated that losing his son has caused him to become closer with his colleagues across the aisle:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/...
"I probably shouldn't say this, but I seem to have gotten more, at least as many, maybe more, of communications from some of my Democrat friends. And I'm a pretty partisan Republican," Inhofe said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "They realize that you've lost someone, and that brings us closer together."
Inhofe said that when there's tragedy, some of the walls between the two parties fall, even though lawmakers' beliefs remain unchanged.
"Something like this happens, and all of a sudden the old barriers that were there, the old differences, those things that keep us apart just disappear," he said. "Those defined positions, they don't change. But your attitude changes. And I can't help but think when I'm confronting someone on something on which we disagree, that I know how they responded to my loss." - TPM, 12/22/13
Inhofe even took a moment to acknowledge Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D. NV) friendship and kindness during this horrific tragedy:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
"Harry and I ... disagree on all this stuff, this political stuff. But we were both married the same year, in 1959. And we've both had some illnesses. So yeah, I would say that when something like this happens, you get closer together. The differences are still there. ... But your attitude changes," said Inhofe.
Like Inhofe, Reid is an unapologetic partisan. But in a speech Reid gave on the Senate floor shortly after Perry Inhofe's death, the Majority Leader described the genuine friendship he's formed with the Oklahoma Republican. "I really care a lot about Jim Inhofe, and he and I are unquestionably friends," Reid told the assembled senators. "We may not agree on all political issues, but we agree that we're friends. I've helped him when I could, and he's helped me when he can."
As friends, Reid said, he and Inhofe "put all the disagreements to one side and look at each other for what we are, outside of our politics."
On Sunday, Inhofe suggested that his change of heart is likely to extend beyond personal dynamics to his work in the Senate. "I can't help but think when I'm confronting someone on something in which we disagree, I'll know how they responded to my loss. And how we got closer. And it'll stay that way," he said. - Huffington Post, 12/22/13
Now I very rarely agree with Senator Inhofe but the loss of anyone's family member goes beyond politics and ideology. I don't expect Inhofe to change his positions but I thank him for at least taking the time to acknowledge his Democratic colleagues support during this dark time. I do hope that this experience will at least motivate Inhofe to work more with Democrats next year. With the holidays approaching, this time of the year must be especially hard for Inhofe's family and my thoughts and prayers go out to them and the memory of their son, Perry. I also want to say how proud I am of the Daily Kos community for not only reccing my diary about the tragedy but the wonderful comments posted sending thoughts and prayers to Inhofe's family. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas time, please remember to tell your loved ones how much you love them and to cherish every moment.