A Valentine for a dear friend

By BonnieBlueFlag

Valentine's Day this year brought the usual bouquets of flowers, and big red hearts filled with fine chocolates and tied up in fancy ribbons.

This year, however, all of our hearts were broken, when we learned that someone so near and so very dear to us, had been diagnosed with cancer.

Almost with one voice, we all asked how could this be, he is so young, so much a part of our everyday lives, that we cannot help but feel that he belongs to each of us in a very special way.

Some of us learned about it alone while listening to him on the radio, others were more fortunate to have the immediate fellowship of Lucianne's many Ldotters. Lucianne graciously provided us with the opportunity to pray together for his quick recovery.

With very little prompting, his AOL e-mail address was inundated with notes of encouragement and additional prayers and good wishes. His mail box was completely filled in a matter of hours.

By this time, I'm sure that you know of whom I am speaking, our dear friend, Tony Snow.



Tony was born Robert Anthony Snow in the small Appalachian town of Berea, Kentucky. Berea is located 35 miles south of Lexington, in an area known for Appalachian traditions and music mixed with southern hospitality and charm.

Tony was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and then went on to receive a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1977 from Davidson College, North Carolina. He continued to study philosophy and economics at the University of Chicago. Tony taught school in Kenya and in Cincinnati, he also worked on behalf of the mentally ill and disabled in North Carolina.

His career as a journalist began in 1979 as an editorial writer for "The Greensboro Record" in North Carolina. Tony also worked for "The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot," "The Daily Press" in Newport News, Virginia, "The Detroit News," and "The Washington Times."

In 1991 Tony served as Deputy Assistant to President George H. W. Bush (41) for Communications and Director of Speechwriting. On March 19, 1992, President Bush announced the appointment of Robert Anthony Snow as Deputy Assistant to the President for Media Affairs.
Then in 1996 Tony joined the FOX Broadcasting network, and casually charmed all of us. We grew to be very fond of this intelligent, polite but firm man, who was able to interview his guests in a precise but gentle manner.

Tony and his wife, Jill, were married in 1987 and have three children, a son and two daughters. Various published articles mention that the family also includes two or three dogs, two cats and three guinea pigs. The picture of a wonderful American family. A family that will now have to deal with the stress of a serious illness, a family that will need all of our prayers and good wishes for many months to come.

Tony, Jill and family, we are sending you all the biggest Valentine ever.� One that is filled with our love and prayers and best wishes, and tied up in fancy ribbons.

by BonnieBlueFlag