#RIP JACK LAYTON- Reminding us to be loving, hopeful and optimistic
As I hear the sad news that hits the nation that the NDP leader has passed at such a young age of 61, I think of him as a person, not a politician, and send love and support to his family and friends for their lost.
There is something about reading a letter from a person that has just passed away. He writes it knowing his time is coming to an end, knowing this will be the last words. He really acknowledged his fellow Cancer patients and Quebecers, members of his party and parliament caucus. Even thou I never met him and he does not know my name personally, when I read the section to the young Canadians, I felt like he was speaking right to me and could not help but start balling my eyes out. His words encourage and comfort you at the same time. I felt like he knew exactly what type of challenges and tribulations that I have personally gone through- wondering sometimes “is all this hard work worth it?” The answer is YES! Because I want a better tomorrow, because I believe my work creates value in both my life and in the lives of others. This section of his letter has inspired me so deeply that I will read this every morning to remind me that we do have the power to change the world.
Sammie Jo Rumbaua-Young NDP Member
“To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.
And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”
All my very best,
Jack Layton
To read the whole later: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/08/22/pol-layton-last-letter.html
Uncategorized | SammieJo | 
August 30, 2011 8:11 pm | 
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