It took me a long time to process this one. I grew up watching him, literally. He started on the Tonight Show the same year I was born. My mother was addicted to his show. She thought he was cute. There was something incredibly special as a kid about being allowed to stay up late and watch his monologue.
What struck me in watching the tributes and listening to people who knew him talk about him is how many times I heard the word "decent" and "gentleman". I miss living in a world where decent people are valued. Being decent has gone out of style; it's not hip to be decent or considerate anymore. I don't just miss Johnny Carson, I miss that what he represented isn't much valued anymore.
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