While scanning through Big Russ & Me, I came to the epilogue and while looking over it I realized that this could have come from any father, from any town in any state...from any father that loves their children and only wants what is best for them.
I didn't always agree with Tim Russert but I always respected him and especially his love for his family and the way he always paid tribute to where he came from. I think as we come upon this Father's Day, we pause and think about the lessons our fathers have passed on to us and just how important, for those of us fortunate enough to have good fathers, just how much of a role they played in shaping who we are, as no doubt Big Russ did with his son and Tim Russert did with his son, Luke.
Here is the epilogue from Tim Russert's book "Big Russ & Me".
Dear Luke,
I wrote this book for your Grandpa. As I finish it, I realize how much it is also for you.
Imagine. When Grandpa was just about your age, he left high school to help win World War II. When the war was over, he came home and took on another mission--raising a family and educating his kids. As you know, for most of his life he worked two jobs and never complained. I have never seen him bitter or cynical about anything, or anyone. To this day, Grandpa believes his glass is two-thirds full. Or, as he puts it, "I'm truly blessed." And so are you.
In the fall, you'll leave for college. You'll never have to struggle through loans or card games to pay tuition. Your opportunities are unlimited, and with that comes a higher responsibility. As your namesake, St. Luke tells us, "To whom much is given, much is expected."
Remember our Thanksgiving dinner a few years back when, because of a special Pentagon program that gave returning veterans academic credit for their military service, we presented Grandpa with his high school diploma--South Park High, class of 1942. I never saw him happier. He finally had it all--and honorable discharge and a high school diploma.
Whenever you think your studies are tough, think about Grandpa. The example he set and the lessons he taught--work, respect and discipline--are as important for you as they have been for me.
When I was around your age, I went off to Woodstock Festival with some friends and didn't call home for five days. Mom and Dad were worried, and I didn't fully understand their pain, or Dad's anger, until the first time you went away with your friends and didn't check in the moment you arrived. So please, call home. I'll even settle for an email.
Lukeman, along the way you'll hit some hurdles and experience some setbacks. I will always be there for you, as Grandpa was for me. But remember, while you are always always loved, you are never, never entitled. As Grandpa likes to say, "The world doesn't owe you a favor."
You do however owe this world something> To live a good and decent and meaningful life would be the ultimate affirmation of Grandpa's lessons and values. The easiest commencement speech I ever heard was all of fifteen words: "The best exercise of human heart is reaching down and picking someone else up."
Off you go. I am so very proud to be your father. Study hard. Have fun. Keep your honor. Pursue every one of your dreams. They really are reachable. As Big Russ would say, "what a country!"
Love,
Dad