I rarely recommend internet reading material, and even more rarely–like never–do I recommend stuff that could be described as “heartwarming.”  Because I have an image to maintain, you know.  But this morning I read something that I found very touching, and I’m not sure I can even explain why I found it so touching that I had to share, but here it is.

Mike Gallagher is a conservative radio host.  I don’t listen to his show, except for snippets I hear on promotional spots, so I couldn’t tell you what it was like, but I read his tribute to his wife, Denise, who lost her fight with cancer a couple weeks ago.  I remember hearing that announced on another conservative talk show at the time and thinking, “Oh, that’s a shame,” because it’s always a shame when someone’s loved one dies.  But I didn’t give it any more thought than that.  Then I saw this column on Townhall.com, and I don’t know why I decided to read it.  I guess I thought it was kind of odd that he chose to say goodbye to the late Tony Snow and his own wife in the same column, so maybe I was curious.  It turned out that Tony Snow was a personal friend, so it made sense, but the column is really about his wife.

I wouldn’t call it a tear-jerker.  I didn’t cry.  It was just so real–just a simple, sweet column about his wife and his grief.  Nothing fancy.  I admit I’m inordinately fond of eulogies.  They coax us into putting aside our petty differences and help us realize that people are so much more complex than we give them credit for.  It speaks to someone’s basic decency and to our common humanity.  Each of us will die, and each of us will lose someone dear, and each of us needs to live better and appreciate more while we’re here.

So the truth comes out:  I’m just an old softy.  At least on Fridays.  Never fear, cynicism and snarkiness will return on Monday.  Meanwhile, have a good weekend.