Happy Fathers' Day to all dads/In Memory of Tim Russert

Happy Fathers' Day to any fathers who may be reading "Chronicles of Mommya," and I hope you are.

I have been greatly saddened by Tim Russert's death on Friday. Just like David Bloom in 2002, both these men and fathers were very likable and relatable. I remember being on a flight with Tim Russert when I worked for Discovery Networks. I was too shy (believe it or not) to try and meet him, but I was struck at that moment by how much he reminded me of my brother Bates - the strong presence and genuine smile - and apparently from all I have read, he was a very genuine person.

I love the fact that he wrote about his own father, and then with the overwhelming response of Big Russ and Me, he shared other father stories in Wisdom of Our Fathers. I love the fact that his son’s name is Luke.

The story below is one of my favorites from a Tucker Carlson interview on June 18, 2007.

RUSSERT: After I wrote the book, my son read it, and he came home, we came home from midnight mass, on Christmas of 2004, and suddenly, my wife screamed and said oh, my God, I said, what‘s wrong? She said, he‘s got a tattoo. I said, tattoo?

I said Luke, come here, we talked about this, I talked—we talked about the health consequences, you tell me you weren‘t going to do a tattoo. And he said—I said raise your arm. And he said no, he had his arms locked, I said raise your arms. He lifts his arm up, and there, in purple stencil are TJR.

My dad‘s name is Timothy Joseph Russert, mine‘s Timothy John Russert, and he looks at me and said, after I read the book, I always wanted you and my grandpa on my side. And I just collapsed in the chair, and I—that‘s the nicest tattoo I‘ve ever seen. I didn‘t know what to do.

TUCKER: That‘s the nicest tattoo I ever heard of.

Catherine: I may consider a tattoo for our Luke :) when he turns 18. (Pictured: My Mike and our Luke)