Fred Leo

Tomorrow marks a year since the passing of Tony Snow, and while I never met the man, I did admire him for what I thought was a powerful intellect, an unquenchable curiosity, and a palpable positive attitude, even a faith in his fellow man that extended to politicsof all things. Though I never met Tony Snow, I think I’ve met people like him, people who manage to always make others feel better, not through any conscious effort, but just because of their inherent decency, and consideration. They seem to have so much of it that it reflects on others. I feel much the same way about Tim Russert, and these days I think we really need more of the qualities both these men exhibited.

When Mr. Snow became ill, I wrote him a note, as did thousands of others. What he wrote back I found, and still find, very moving, and very Tony Snow:

Thank you for the wonderful email, and for including me in your
thoughts.

I have gotten hundreds of cards and emails from all over the country,
and I’m amazed and delighted by each and every one. The entire path of
my life over the last few years has taught me a very valuable lesson:
that blessings come in unexpected packages. Although I normally wouldn’t
consider cancer a blessing, it has brought forth acts of kindness from
friends and strangers-and helped me understand the real power of
kindness and concern. It is as if I had been hoisted on the shoulders of
others, who have taken up my burden, and raised me up, so I can look at
life from a new and wonderful perspective.

That’s one of the great things about being an American: people in this
country just want to do the right thing for others. And having been the
recipient of your kindness, I can assure you that I’m doing everything
in my power to learn from and emulate your example. Little gestures-a
call, an email, even a smile-can have enormous healing power, not just
on the person in need, but the person offering the encouragement. Isn’t
it great how we always feel better when we do the right things?

So thank you for strengthening my faith in the things that matter-and
from the bottom of my heart, thanks for taking the time to write to me.

What a great gift!

God bless,

TONY SNOW