Sad Day Indeed, Rest In Peace Tony Snow
[UPDATED: More links and videos added]
I’ve been traveling all day. When I left the house at 8am Eastern this morning, I hadn’t heard the news about Tony Snow. When I got off the first plane in Atlanta, the news hit me like a ton of bricks. We couldn’t hear the news on the TV at the terminal, but we could read the crawler, and that was enough to feel that pit in my stomach and lump in my throat. I couldn’t find any free wifi, and we only had about half an hour or so before boarding for the next leg of our journey… so my wife and I were left scrambling for whatever information we could find and discussing just how monumental this loss was.
He left too early. He had a family and so many friends. Surely they deserved more time. Surely he had so much left to give. But cancer is an evil beast, and it often takes the best and brightest… seemingly before their time.
Of course we never met Mr. Snow. We just knew him from the Press Secretary’s podium and before that his time on FoxNews and the radio. But without a doubt, we knew Tony Snow was one of the few really good guys and Great Americans…he will certainly be missed. Missed, not just by fans from afar like us, but missed by a country that was a better place with him in it.
A while back, my wife and I stayed up late one night glued to the television. Its normally just me staying up late, watching tv or working on the computer, but this night was different. Tony Snow was being interviewed shortly after he left the White House and we both had to hear every word. When the interviewer asked what he was planning on doing in the future, Mr. Snow didn’t offer any specifics, but it didn’t matter… the lofty ideals were specific enough. With a glimmer in his eye, Mr. Snow talked about wanting to do more, be in a different arena, and possibly give something back (speak? teach?). He also joked about needing to make some more money to take care of his family as public service had depleted the coffers. But money didn’t seem like his primary motivation, what was really important to Mr. Snow was the chance to make a difference, pass on some knowledge, and of course find some more time to spend with his family.
I just can’t help but feel that he was close to doing so much more. We watched him that night and couldn’t help but wonder together how much good he could do. How America would be a better place if more people like Tony Snow got involved. How America would be a better place if more people like Tony Snow existed. At least that’s what we felt from the other end of the tv.
Knowing how sad we are having known him from TV, I can’t imagine how sad those who knew him personally must be. Being missed is an understatement. America will miss him… certainly his family always will.
I can only hope that his loved ones, friends and family find some solace in the fact that he is not fighting the ills of cancer any more. Today, cancer took a giant who will not easily be replaced. But he is now healthy once more, and at peace.
May God Bless his family and friends. And may God Bless Tony Snow. The prayers of my wife and I are with all of you.
Today is a sad day indeed.
[T]hough God doesn’t promise us tomorrow, he does promise us eternity—filled with life and love we cannot comprehend—and that one can in the throes of sickness point the rest of us toward timeless truths that will help us weather future storms.
– Tony Snow
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Some links of interest:
- Statement from President & Mrs. Bush
- Quotes Remembering Tony Snow
- Michelle Malkin
- FoxNews
- Washington Post Obituary
- YouTube clip from FoxNews/Brit Hume
- YouTube clip - Comments from Senator McConnell
- RNC Statement
- Tony Snow - Cancer’s Unexpected Blessings (Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin)
This one is tough.
Tony Snow’s other talent - music
