This morning while I was thinking about the latest snark I am going to post here about He Who Walks on Water I learned that Tony Snow died. Even though I had not talked to him lately, I will always remember Tony because of his kindness to me and my family back in 2004 when our radio shows were aired on Chicago’s Big 89, WLS. The station had an event at the Chicago Theater to celebrate its 80th birthday, called “Stars on Stage.” I was thrilled to be a part of it. Tony and Rush Limbaugh were the actual stars, of course. Imagine my delight when I learned that Tony’s dressing room was right next to mine! We spent a lot of time hanging out, talking about our respective shows, but also about our families. Like me, Tony and his wife Jill are dog lovers, and I commiserated with him about a recent incident involving a huge vet bill, which he seemed more than happy to pay because the dog involved was ok. Late in the day, my sister-in-law and her husband, who were in audience, told me that they were huge Tony fans and wondered if they could meet him. When I asked Tony, a tad tentatively because I figured he must get sick of people bugging him for autographs and other attention, he smiled that wonderful smile and said “Of course! Bring them up!” So they came up to Tony’s dressing room and spent a few minutes talking to him. It meant the world to them, and to me. He was exceptional in many ways: his intelligence, his wit, his command of the language, but most of all because he was a genuine human being who treated everyone the way he would like to be treated. A good test of a person’s character is how he treats those who can’t possibly do anything to benefit him, just because. Just because we’re all bozos on this bus. Tony understood that.

He, Jill, the children, and of course, the dogs, will be in my prayers, and I hope to see him again.

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