Michelle Malkin » Condolences

Condolences

By Michelle Malkin • July 22, 2004 05:22 PM

Kathryn Lopez at NRO notes that journalist Mort Kondracke’s wife, Millie, has died of Parkinson’s Disease. He wrote movingly of their experience in his book, Saving Millie. Janice Krouse reviewed the book in 2002 and noted:

After the Clinton scandals, there’s little about celebrity marriages that surprises Washington anymore. But the tell-all book that has the nation’s capital abuzz these days is another shocker. Their friends knew about Mort’s double life, but to others his was just another success story - a top-notch journalist enjoying a high-profile career including television gigs and a stint as one of Fox’s Beltway Boys.

Mort’s insightful comments about contemporary issues revealed nothing about his views about marriage and family. Certainly, he didn’t talk about his role as the principle caregiver of his wife, Millie, who is incapacitated by Parkinson’s disease. Even Millie thought he’d cast her aside and move on after the diagnosis. Instead, Mort Kondracke is doing the unexpected; when his character, integrity and commitment were on the line, he put Millie first.

In Washington, where nothing thwarts the ambitions of the powerful, it’s the talk of the town. In a nation where marriage doesn’t always mean forever, Mort and Millie’s love story is one that inspires and challenges. Anyone can fall in love. It’s no accomplishment for a young couple to share passionate feelings and to make promises at the beginning of a romance. But to see couples like Mort and Millie endure in the face of the inevitable “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” that’s worthy of admiration. To see a spouse accept responsibility for saving his or her loved one from as many of the indignities and inhumanities of a vicious disease as possible, that’s heroic — and all too rare.

In his book, Saving Millie, Kondracke said that, after the diagnosis, he determined to be a loving husband and help Millie fight the disease. “I decided that my career was now secondary as the purpose of my life. I did not know what helping Milly fight Parkinson’s might involve, and I did not want to know. . . . I was afraid that if I had a forecast of how bad things could become I might shrink from the ordeal. I figured I would simply deal with whatever happened, as it happened.

This has become my philosophy of life: do the best you can playing the hand you are dealt, and ask God’s help every single step of the way. Kondracke does not claim to be “born again,” nor does he claim to have a “personal relationship” with Jesus Christ. But, he has set a standard for himself to be “consistently loving, caring, patient and supportive” of Millie and he meets regularly with a men’s fellowship and considers Jesus’ message of “love, self-sacrifice, and total commitment” to be an “ideal for humanity.” His fellowship friends have formed a support group for him and they have memorized Proverbs 3:5 together — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways, acknowledge Him and he will direct your path.” Kondracke said, “This is gradually becoming my ultimate rule for living, and it’s perfect for my kind of stoicism: I will, I must, play the hand that’s dealt me and trust in God to help me do the right thing.” Mort prays repeatedly throughout the day and reports that he asks God, “What’s my purpose here?” He admits to hoping each time that there will be a new and important mission for him, but the answer, he says, is always, “Take care of Millie.” In the process, Mort says, “I’ve become a different, better person — someone I never expected to be. I have put someone else’s happiness ahead of my own advancement.”

I don’t know him well, but the few times I have met and spoken with Mort Kondracke, I was struck by his graciousness and humility–scarce qualities in the world of Beltway journalism. Deepest condolences. Keep him and his children in your prayers.

Posted in: R.I.P.

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#1

On July 22nd, 2004 at 5:29 pm, Jeff G said:

Such sad news.
#2

On July 22nd, 2004 at 6:21 pm, Martin aka Blogbat said:

This is just aweful news. I do hope the vry best for Mort; our prayers are most certainly with him.
#3

On July 22nd, 2004 at 7:39 pm, The Monk said:

Mort Kondracke has always impressed me as a humble, personable man. He routinely took time out to participate in my high school’s annual Washington Seminar and speak to the kids about his life as a Beltway pundit. His dedication to his wife is simply of a piece with the generous, patient person that he has always seemed.

My most sincere condolences.
#4

On July 22nd, 2004 at 11:21 pm, Mark Framnes said:

What a shining example of manhood! Too often manliness is portrayed as slamming pitchers of beer and looking at juggies. What Mort endured for the love of his wife is the real deal.

Something none of us should face, but if we do Mort has provided us with one righteous example.

While I am not always in agreement with Mort’s comments on Brit’s show (most often I am in agreement with Fred) I believe him to be an honest broker.

You and your wife are in my Prayers, Mort.

[\/]ark
#5

On July 22nd, 2004 at 11:25 pm, RepJ said:

God bless Mort and may God rest Millie’s soul.
#6

On July 22nd, 2004 at 11:57 pm, Mike said:

Don’t know Mort but my condolences to him, he does always seem humble and gracious on Brit Hume and the Beltway Boys. Hume’s show is the only news I’ll watch if I’m home at 6.

On a related note you should read Tuesdays with Morrie as well.

Finally, Michelle what the heck are you doing on the Atkins Diet?
Its for people whose insuline and weight is way out of wack.
Read the Zone.
Regards,

Mike

PS There’s also another story just remembered about the surgeon who was slowly dying and kept operating and saving lives up until the last day. I believe he was the best brain surgeon in the country and only one who could do very risky operations.
#7

On July 23rd, 2004 at 9:12 am, John said:

A true class act.
#8

On July 23rd, 2004 at 10:25 am, Fausta said:

My condolences to Mr. Kondracke and his family, and thank you for your thoughtful post.
#9

On July 23rd, 2004 at 11:25 am, DJDrummond said:

My sincere condolences for Mr. Kondracke, great respect, and wishes for his solace in this time.

Thanks for the news, Michelle.
#10

On July 23rd, 2004 at 12:16 pm, Pat Jung said:

My deepest sympathy to the Kondracke Family and also my prayers for strength and peace during this difficult time.

Thank you, Michelle, for the opportunity to post this note.
#11

On July 23rd, 2004 at 12:44 pm, Bill from INDC Journal said:

Mort’s been my favorite TV pundit for a couple of years now, and not just because I usually agree with him; he’s an honest broker in a world of partisan hacks.

The way that he handled his wife’s illness sets a brilliant example.