That loss was my name....

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

The man famous for his right-wing mockery and outlandish television persona has opened up to Oprah, sharing his devastation at the loss of his father and two older brothers in a plane crash when he was just a boy.
One of 11 children, Stephen Colbert spoke with the former queen of daytime about the deaths of his father James and two older brothers Paul, 18, and Peter, 15, when their plane crashed in North Carolina in 1974.
His process of mourning as well as his connection with his faith was on full display in the startlingly somber interview for Oprah's Next Chapter, one of several to promote his new book that will be released tomorrow.

Family: One of 11 children, Stephen Colbert spoke with the former queen of daytime about the deaths of his father James and two older brothers Paul, 18, and Peter, 15, when their plane crashed in North Carolina in 1974

Mr Colbert's father and two teenage brothers perished on September 11 1974 when Eastern Airlines Flight 212 crashed into a North Carolina cornfield.
Thirteen people survived the initial impact, but only ten would survive. Seventy-two people perished in the accident.

 

Just 10 years old at the time, Mr Colbert had trouble fully dealing with the loss.
'That was my secret name,' he said to Oprah, explaining that the tragedy was something he stored deep inside.

Beginnings: His process of mourning as well as his connection with his faith was on full display in the startlingly somber interview for Oprah's Next Chapter. His father James Colbert is pictured left, and his mother Evelyn is pictured alongside her husband, right, in these undated family photos

Crash: Mr COlbert's father and two teenage brothers perished on September 11 1974 when Eastern Airlines Flight 212 crashed into a North Carolina cornfield ... the first 9/11

Gone: Thirteen people survived the intial impact, but only ten would survive. Seventy-two people perished in the accident. James Colbert is pictured left, Paul Colbert, 18, center, and Peter Colbert, 15, right

'
That loss was my name.... I liked the idea that you have a secret name. ... And that's a name that no one can ever really pronounce, you know, because it's who you are. There's a magic to your secret name.'
He had a difficult time grieving, he told Oprah, and finally broke down his freshman year of college when it hit him for the first time.
'I was in bad shape,' he said. 'I was just green ... I was so sad about it.'
He said he dropped 50 pounds that year.
But the interview wasn't all tearful. Mr Colbert also spoke about his faith and the mantra he keeps in his office.
A devout Catholic, he keeps a card from a priest that reads: 'Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.' He also refers to his show as 'the joy machine.'

Mourning: He had a difficult time grieving, he told Oprah, and finally broke down his freshman year of college when it hit him for the first time, right

Joy: But the interview wasn't all tearful. Mr Colbert also spoke about his faith and his family, pictured

'Joy can be hard. It's not the same thing as happiness,' Mr Colbert mused.
And what gives Mr Colbert joy?
'To be with my wife and children,' the doting father said.
The chat with Oprah was part of his promotional tour for his new book, America Again: Re-Becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't.
The book will be released tomorrow and covers topics such as energy policy, the constitution an eating on the campaign trail all with his signature snark.