by Ray Keating
Eight years ago, in
late February, William F. Buckley, Jr., died. The conservative movement could
use Buckley’s wisdom today. Here’s the column I wrote at the time for Newsday…
Life offers good days and bad days. The key is to keep it
all in proper perspective, and cherish the many gifts from God.
But that’s not always easy. Early last week, I had a couple
of bad days. You know – expensive car woes, career challenges, and so on. Then
I heard on Wednesday morning that William F. Buckley, Jr. had died. My own
frustrations gave way to loss and sadness.
Much can and has been written in recent days about this
witty, intellectual powerhouse who was central to the modern-day conservative
movement. Buckley started National Review magazine, penned a syndicated
newspaper column, wrote novels and nonfiction books, hosted a television show,
tweaked liberals, and did much more in nearly six decades of public life.
Oh yes, and he played an important role in defeating
communism by laying the intellectual groundwork for Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
In addition, Buckley sailed the seas, ran for mayor of New
York City in 1965 on the Conservative Party line to the irritation of liberal
Republican John Lindsay, and even was a CIA agent for a brief time. How cool is
all of that?
And he did it with panache and obvious joy. Indeed, part of
the reason I became a conservative was, no doubt, because of Bill Buckley. I
wanted to have as much fun as that guy.
But two personal encounters with Buckley revealed his charm
and generosity.
The first time was nearly 20 years ago. I just started
writing a column for a very small, now-long-forgotten New York City newspaper.
Buckley was doing a lunchtime book signing. So, I decided to ask this
conservative luminary for advice. I slipped a few of my columns in an envelope,
and when it was my turn in line, nervously handed Buckley the package, asking
if he might take a look at my work. His face lit up with a smile, and he
declared, “I most certainly will.”
A couple of weeks later, a letter arrived. Buckley
graciously read through these early rough columns, and offered some helpful,
but gentle critiques. He added that none of this should make me hesitate at the
keyboard because I was making a positive contribution. That note of
encouragement was invaluable.
During subsequent years, I joked with friends that my life
would be complete if two things happened. Jack Nicklaus said “nice round” after
playing 18 holes of golf, and Bill Buckley gave thumbs up to my writing.
Well, a couple of years ago, I again saw Buckley at a New
York City gathering, and introduced myself. He responded with another smile and
said: “Raymond Keating, I read your work.” Without thinking, in a kind of haze
of disbelief, I responded: “Oh, come on.” But he reassured that was the case,
and we enjoyed a nice conversation. (No word from Nicklaus as yet.)
Those moments with Buckley were good days for this
conservative writer. They are memories to be cherished.
But many others have had similar experiences. For example,
Matt Carolan, my onetime column partner in these pages, worked for Buckley at
National Review. Last week, Matt noted many generous acts on Buckley’s part,
and concluded: “Bill's Christian charity and welcoming spirit, whether that be
directed to employees, strangers or even political and cultural opponents, were
surely some of his greatest accomplishments.”
In my life and so many others, Bill Buckley was a gift. Last
Wednesday was a bad day for those of us left on this celestial ball as we will
miss William F. Buckley, Jr. But Buckley, I have no doubt, is now enjoying
paradise, and paradise is all the more lively for his arrival.
______________
Mr. Keating is an
economist and novelist who writes on a wide range of topics. His Pastor Stephen
Grant novels have received considerable acclaim, including The River: A Pastor
Stephen Grant Novel being a finalist for KFUO radio’s Book of the Year 2014,
and Murderer’s Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel winning for Book of the Year
2015.
The Pastor Stephen
Grant Novels are available at Amazon…
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