My Last Letter To Rush Limbaugh

On January 7, following the peaceful rally and smattering of violence at the U.S. Capitol, I made sure to tune into Rush Limbaugh’s show because I knew he provides words of wisdom and clarity during a difficult time. It made me think of how important Rush has been in my life — from age 16 to now as I navigate through a different season of life. This week you’ll hear from others, like John Rich, with similar stories about Rush’s generosity. No doubt there are many, many more. What follows is an email I sent to James (aka Snerdley) and Rush on January 7. I don’t know if Rush was able to read it, but I hope he, Kathryn, and his family know how many lives he touched beyond the political world.

—

Hi James and Rush,

I’m sure you have been hearing this often, today especially. I’ve been meaning to write since we had dinner with Chris Plante a few years ago in DC. Rush is such a beacon of light. The politics side is obvious, but I’m hoping you might be able to share this email with him. He knows some of it, but maybe doesn’t realize the ending and how much he has meant to me over the last 30 years. Apologies for the length, but it is the only way I can convey how Rush has shaped (and saved) my life.

In 1995, a boy I liked suggested I should join him for lunch and listen to Rush in his car. He knew I would enjoy the show since I frequently fought with my teachers in Tallahassee, Florida and wanted to be a writer since I had been writing for the city paper, The Tallahassee Democrat, since…