A Rainbow Over New York City and Tim Russert

They say that Tim Russert lives on in the hearts of thousands who knew him. Some commented that Russert "was a force of nature and his cycle is complete". The universe must agree because there was a rainbow resting in the sky over the NBC building in New York City right after his memorial service ended.

I saw a picture of the rainbow on the evening news with Brian Williams. A flag was flying at half-mast as the magical rainbow seemed to touch the top of the building. I hope they make a 20x30 of that memorial photograph in the sky and get it framed in gold.

While most of us are busy rushing about from the weary moment we crawl out of bed in the wee hours of the morning to the midnight hour we fall exhausted back into our unmade bed at night, we still have moments when we wish there was more to life and wonder if we are living up to our potential.

It's difficult to believe Tim Russert ever had any of those worrisome thoughts. He was too busy enjoying life and taking advantage of every waking hour giving back some of his joy and enthusiasm of living.

"He leaves a legacy of a truly honorable life," said one mourner yesterday.

"He was noble, compassionate and intensely loyal. He had mastered happiness," expressed another.

As I debate the question of what is happiness and joy, I suspect he did not connect it to a good hair day, money in the bank or how many compliments he got along the way.

"He said he had been blessed with all he could want," reflected a long-time friend.

But it seems that what he wanted was to touch everyone he knew with a "Cheerful Strength","Radiant Smile", "Booming Voice" and "Right Paw on your Shoulder".

"He was a jolly Irish Catholic kid". "He had a boyish sense of wonder". "He was all about what's happening" which by the way, were his last words as he passed a friend in the hallway at work just before he collapsed. He touched her shoulder and greeting her with a booming, "What's happening?"

What's happening is that even in death, Russert still brings people together. From the two presidential candidates and rivals, John McCain and Barack Obama who sat next to each other at his funeral service, to families united in a common subject at the supper table.

"He included everyone he knew in his big heart," Brain Williams remarked about his friend and mentor. "He had a big heart because we were all in it. He was a brilliant shining star."

Others remembered Russert

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