A life lived with love and passion

Davon Gray
Published: June 23, 2008

A little more than a week ago America lost a giant in journalism, politics and life. Tim Russert was to politics what a nice warm blanket is in the middle of winter — total comfort. 

That comfort came from knowing his focus was on two things: reporting the facts and making sure his listeners understood those facts.

When you needed to know what was going on — or more importantly the truth about what was going on in politics and current events — you watched Meet The Press.

You knew if he embarrassed the politician you like, it wasn’t to make them look bad but to get you the truth and make them a better public servant. 

I had the good fortune of meeting Tim Russert about four years ago. It was only a five minute conversation, but it was one that signified the best in him. 

On my way to work I stopped to get a quick breakfast from the downstairs shop. And there was Tim Russert in line as well. 

This was significant to me because there were only a few people I really want to meet in politics. Tim Russert was one of them.

So I said good morning to him and asked him a simple question:  what does it take to make it in politics in this town? I was a little embarrassed and nervous because when you ask someone who
has “made it” you never know if they are going to share it with you. 

But unlike others I have asked that question to, he didn’t answer in a way that said “beat it kid, leave me alone.” He talked to me about writing and a little about how he made it and then gave me a name
if I was ever interested in finding out more about the political news profession. 

I remember being impressed and grateful. First because he took a few minutes of his time to talk with me in a focused manner.  Second because he actually gave a name and email to contact placing his
own personal credibility on the line. That was something I really appreciated.

I must confess, sometimes when I write my column, it is difficult to write; especially if I am trying to find out about a new story in the news or maybe when it’s something I am unfamiliar with. But writing
this column is easy to do. 

I only had that one encounter with Tim Russert, but like everyone who watched him, I felt like I got to talk with him every week, on Sundays.

I always loved the show, even if I had to catch a rerun later on in the day or on C-SPAN radio. Tim Russert was one of the few political personalities on television who you could not really tell his political
leanings. That is the way politics is suppose to be — no partisanship, just the facts presented truthfully.

That type of nonpartisan honesty will be missed and may not be seen again for some time.

As for Tim Russert, the off camera person, we all found out a lot about his life over the last week.

I believe the quality of our lives is determined by what we love. If that is true, Tim Russert truly had a high quality of life. 

He had a love of faith, love of family, love of profession, love of sports and most of all — love of people.

Therefore, through Tim Russert’s unexpected death we can learn how to live our lives with the same type of love and passion during our time on this earth — however short or long that time may be.

May God rest his soul and give peace to his family.

Davon Gray works as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., and resides in Woodbridge. Contact him at .