Rush's death is still very surreal to me. Even though we all have had a year to digest the inevitable coming of it. It doesn't matter. It was 12:03 and the show would be starting in 3 minutes. I was at the gym and through with my workout and as I was getting ready to leave I was talking with the owner. I got out to my car a minute or two past :06. I started the car and the radio came on and I heard this woman's voice and I was like, who is this? I looked at the tuner, it was right where I always have it and then I realized that it was Rush's wife Kathryn and my heart sank. I felt like I just had the wind knocked out of me. I sat there. Stunned, Numb. Listening to the pain in Kathryn's voice as she was informing all of us that Rush had died. It hurt my soul. And it will for a long, long time. Rush changed my life when I was a young man and he has been the "constant" throughout my daily life for decades.
When I was working one night a long while back, we were departing KMCO (Olando, Fl) going to KBWI (Baltimore, Md) and we were at altitude in 10 minutes or so talking to Jacksonville Center. It wasn't late but there wasn't a whole lot of traffic of the frequency and a aircraft checked on behind us. A Gulfstream 5. Can't remember the N number, might have been 882 but ended in EB. Echo Bravo (EIB). A minute or so went by and I keyed the mic and said, 882EB, do you have America's Anchorman on board tonight? Rush's pilot keyed up and said, "Affirmative". I said, well, please tell him that "Citrus" said hello (AirTran Airways callsign) and that we love him. "Will do" was the reply. Rush was on his way to Chicago to give the keynote speech and induction of Neal Boortz into the Radio Hall of Fame that night.
We have lost a mentor, a Patriot and a wise and learned Man. Like many things in life there was only one Rush Limbaugh. Now he's gone. And ironically, when we as a country need him the most. Yesterday wasn't any better when noon rolled around. As I suspect today won't be either. Todd Herman was sitting in. I listened but not for long. Todd, at times sounded like he was on the verge of a emotional meltdown. I couldn't listen to it and I turned it off. 12:00 weekdays will never be quite the same now………………….. On the positive side of things I have given thanks to God Almighty for having Rush for all these many years. Give thanks for having the sense to listen to him and learn. It really wasn't that hard. Much of conservatism can be reduced to plain, ole, common sense and Rush was the "Titular Head" of the conservative movement.
Miss you so much Rush, I love you and though it falls woefully short in comparison to what you gave US for all these many years,
THANK YOU!! Thank you.
Lord, we give thanks and glory to you for your wondrous ways. In all your glory we especially give thanks to you this day for blessing US with Rush Limbaugh. He was a once in a lifetime phenomenon who loved you, the country you gave US and all of the good that the real Patriots of this country stand for. Rush fought for what is good, right and moral. He fought for US and our country daily and the eternal philosophy of conservatism. It is with prayer that we pray that his fight and ours, will not have been in vain.
Amen