My elderly parents live in Goderich, Ontario, where much of the city was devastated by a tornado yesterday. My parents are fine, their apartment building narrowly missed by the tornado. They are cooking meals on their barbecue, making due without services as are so many in Goderich today. A big thanks to those who have called or stopped by to make sure they are OK, especially to Stewart, a new young friend of my dad's, who stopped by with his mother this morning, and to Pete and Lou who do a daily check-in. A heartfelt "so very sorry" to those who have lost homes and businesses, and to those injured and most especially to the family of the worker who died.
While checking online pictures, videos and news stories about Goderich early this morning, the death of Jack Layton appeared in the breaking news sections of papers. Though I can't say I was entirely surprised, I had hoped Jack would be in Parliament in September, there in opposition with his passion and commitment and optimism. Jack Layton was a class act to the very end. I will miss his personal and political energy and his deep love for Canada, and Canada will miss him. Jack's openness and ease made politics seem like a wonderful, worthy profession, a calling actually, one good for his soul, for his party and for the people he served, qualities not often noted in politics or politicians much these days, though I know there are many, many dedicated people working for their constituents. I hope Jack's joy and dedication has made some fine young people think not just I could do that, but I'd love to do that. And perhaps made some jaded, old pols renew their vows.
My condolences to his family, and to his colleagues.
The Globe had a PDF copy of Jack's letter to Canadians and I'm providing a link here:
http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01310/Jack_Layton_s_lett_1310744a.pdf
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