Never Apologize for Your Tears…

America has lost a hero. That term may be overused. But Charles Krauthammer was certainly a hero. He died last week. Charles was the essence of integrity, authenticity and grace. Fox News aired a special last Friday. A rich, vibrant recounting of Krauthammer’s life. Told mostly by him in a reserved, erudite manner. Shared openly based on the facts of his life. More clinical. Less cathartic. I found myself tearing the entire hour. But here is the point of this message. Brett Bair, Fox anchor interviewed Charles during this piece. Brett Bair is a solid professional. He delivers news objectively. Unemotionally every evening at 6pm.

Obviously, deeply connected to Charles, he closed the interview reading a message Krauthammer had sent only to him conveying the news he had but a few weeks to live. Later to be shared with all the others around the world who so loved and respected this incredible man.

Bair read the message … his head down. As he came to the last few sentences, you could hear his voice tremble. Brett had worked through his own great personal struggles with a son who was living with severe heart problems. 

Then this. He raised his head, tears streaming down his cheeks. So many times you will see someone at this moment apologize, “Sorry…” “Can’t believe I’m so emotional.” Or they wave their hand in front of their face drying their tears. But Brett never flinched. Never apologized. Felt the depth of his emotions at that moment. Vulnerably. Let his tears flow unapologetically. A clear reflection of the depth of his feelings for his great friend. Brett Bair did not apologize for his tears. We should never apologize for ours either.