I am bumming harder today than yesterday. Reality has set in that we have lost a positive, articulate voice when we need him most. In honor of his positivity and looking for the good in a tough situation, what are your favorite Rush memories?

I have several:

• I remember driving to visit grandparents in the early 90’s. My father had Rush on in the car. I was only 8 years old. I remember his parody songs.
• Rush came to our airport around that same time. I briefly met him as he exited. I didn’t understand what a figure he was, but I remember thinking he was larger than life.
• I went to college in Ithaca, NY. I remember holing up in study rooms in the various libraries and streaming Rush’s show. I used his hometown radio WJNO.
• I remember my college girlfriend was a lefty. She would get so mad when I had him on in the car. That was fun!
• I remember when he was on Hank Haney’s golf show and worked on his swing. It was obvious this man had a work ethic like no other.
• I loved that he always sought to subvert conventional wisdom. I wish more people wouldn’t be sheep.

We were fortunate to have Rush for as long as we did. Many of the tributes have talked about his failures before his radio show became a hit. How fortunate are we all that he didn’t give up? We should all learn something from that. How lucky are we that Rush was on OUR side? I am basically a Rush baby. Rush was formative to some of my earliest memories and has no doubt shaped my view of politics and DC. This feels like a huge loss but I am grateful I grew up with his influence. My children will not be as fortunate.

RIP you harmless, lovable little fuzzball. You will be missed and not forgotten.