"An Appreciation of William F. Buckley," the February 27, 2008 episode of Charlie Rose, was bittersweet.
It was a compilation of segments from interviews William F. Buckley, Jr. had done with Charlie Rose through the years.
The hour passed much, much too quickly.
At the end of the program, Rose paid tribute to his friend. It was truly very touching. Rose was visibly moved.
As a viewer, so was I.
Rose said:
So Bill Buckley left us this morning. He was probably more ready than we were.
As much as anyone, I valued him. When I came to this city and started doing this show 16 years ago, I was little-known and had not made my mark in life. He came on and then he sent me a hand-written note with enormous flattery and I live with the hope I didn't disappoint his early prophesy.
We became friends. Several years ago when I was sick and came back from near death, he called and wanted to take me to dinner. He wanted me to sail and I never accepted; until one evening he said to me, "I'm not sailing anymore. I'm not doing a lot of the things I used to do anymore."
Why don't I ever learn? There is not always tomorrow.
I last saw him at Pat's memorial service and I knew her death was the last crushing disappointment for him. People were walking by as he sat in a chair in the front row after the service. I was last in line and when I stopped he looked up, and he saw me, then he started crying. And I said, "I'll come see you," thinking there will always be a tomorrow.
And now he is gone. There is no tomorrow. But what a life, what a man, and what a friend!
We think of the wife he joins, and the son he leaves, and the rest of the Buckley clan.
Goodnight, Bill. Goodnight to you.
_________________
The program is definitely worth watching.
Video here.
2 comments:
One might wonder why I'm commenting on this post after 2 years. I lost an old friend today way too soon...just 36. I received messages from him, talking about sending me something from when we were teenagers and wanting to buy me a drink when I got back home. But I am in the middle of one of the busiest periods of my life, and said to myself "I will respond tomorrow." After hearing about my friend, the first thing I thought about was this very touching episode.
There is no tomorrow. I missed my friend yesterday as someone who's far from home, and full of obligations. Today, I miss my friend in the same way that Charlie Rose probably felt when he closed out this touching episode.
Thank you for transcribing it. What he said is so true.
First, I'm very sorry for your loss.
Second, thank you for leaving your comment. It prompted me to go back and reread what Charlie Rose said about his friend and about the way we live our lives.
The video link on the post still works so I watched Rose's moving remarks, too. It's a lesson learned but too often put aside, how precious time is, a gift we should never take for granted.
Again, my condolences on the loss of your friend. Take care.
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