Remembering Rush

He was legally deaf for nearly 20 years of his third-of-a-century tenure on the airwaves.`

Relying on tech and transcriptions he was able to carry on his program up until about two weeks ago. Even on that February day it was surprising he was here: He’d been told more than a year earlier that he had, maybe, six months to live.

And Rush Limbaugh was thankful – always thankful… to be on the air and for the audience,.. for his nation and its heritage… for his family… and for the real heroes of America, past and present.

Despite all the bombast and pomposity, Rush’s reputation off the air was well known as that of a surprisingly soft-spoken, gentle person. From early in his childhood on, he was passionate about what he wanted to do every day: Radio.

His singular focus on doing what he wanted to do is something that needs to resonate with you and me today. Not his politics, status, successes and mistakes.

He got to where he was by latching on to his childhood passion and relentlessly pursuing it – but not for his own personal fulfillment alone: Forbes once ranked him #4 among most generous celebrities. From his personal desires he contributed – and rallied his audience to join in giving…

Over $50 Million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Over $5 Million for Tunnels to Towers, which builds homes for gold star families.
Over $4 Million for Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.

…and many, many other efforts to support human relief and advocate for meaningful causes. He often made himself available as a featured speaker for charitable events, jetting across the country on his own dime to be of service (and that doesn’t even count Dan’s Bake Sale).

On top of this, throughout the years he gave away cool stuff to callers: iPhones. High-tech mattresses. Mac computers. Food and beverages. And more – some donated by advertisers and many just because he wanted to dote on his audience. Even if it was subscriptions or merchandise from the EIB ecosystem that he gave, he delighted in seeing people receive good things that he believed in.

All this, because he was thankful; connecting as best he could with “conversationalists across the fruited plain.”

People weren’t the only ones who benefited from his heart: He loved animals. He not only donated to various animal and nature causes but, as someone who lived right on Palm Beach, he described to his listeners his fascination in witnessing the hatching of sea turtles and their trek to the sea.

His passions took him from the security of his career into the risks of entrepreneurship. Granted, he may not have been at serious risk of financial setbacks, but a bad product or business situation can undermine ones goals and their name. Notably, he worked with designers on a line of neckties, “Rush Ties.” Later, a line of sweet and unsweet teas called Two if by Tea.”

He had a searing passion for the founding of our nation – the principles upon which it’s based and the persons who brought them together. This led him to author a series of five books for kids taking them deeper into the stories of the pilgrims, the Revolution, the Star-Spangled banner, and more.

When he was recognized for how he manifested these virtues throughout his life in early 2020 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, it was disheartening so many were disappointed. Perhaps they were the ones suffering from the real and darker deafness that comes from having a binary mindset. And yet, he publicly said he didn’t mind the criticisms or let them get him down. Instead, he thanked his audience for their generosity and passion for making so much good come into being across the years.

Politics come and go, but they’re rarely an an either/or discussion.
Personalities ebb and flow, but you never have to either love or hate someone.

But virtues like enthusiasm, benevolence, and gratitude…

These do more to define the what is good and common among those who indulge in them than anything they’ve ever done or said.

So remember Rush Hudson Limbaugh III, above all else, for his passion, his generosity, and his thankfulness.

Given all he’s said and done, that’s how he saw – and heard – what’s best about America.
#MegaDittosRush