I remember wading ashore six years ago, at a place called Gibraltar Point on the Toronto Islands, and coming across an amazing sight.
Thousands of monarch butterflies clustered on a couple of trees getting ready to fly south across Lake Ontario.
What made it even more special, was that I had helped expand a milkweed patch nearby, and I thought this was my reward.
But then the next year I hardly saw a monarch anywhere.
At the end of a long day, it's always a welcome sight. The little terminal to the Toronto Islands, and in the summer my escape hatch out of the city. But its new name makes it look even better.
Because Jack Layton loved the islands as much as I do. I'd see him there all the time riding a bicycle with Olivia Chow. And of course because like so many others, I loved Jack.
So today on the second anniversary of his death, I thought this was really neat.
Well I see that although we only just said goodbye to Jack Layton, our classy media is already beating their tin drum over who will replace him.
And so are quite a few Liberal bloggers. Which seems rather crass, considering the timing, and considering their own problems.
You know...I love my Liberal friends. Although I don't have as many of them as I once did, because most of them joined the NDP in the last three days. I know that all of my friends share my vision of a better Canada, whether they wear red or orange.
But like our tired media so many Liberals are obsessed with the grubby mechanics of power. Who gets to be da boss, who gets to ride in a limo, who gets to stick their snouts in the trough.
While the Jack Nation is building a powerful new movement...
A movement that will unite the left, and drive the filthy Cons from power, by appealing to idealism of the young and the noblest instincts of all Canadians, who are sick to death of old and tired politics.
The nostalgic dinosaurs of the Big Small Red Machine may not understand that yet, but you can be sure the Cons do and they are AFRAID. Quaking in their boots. Or going up and down like yoyo's.
It will probably be a while before a Canadian prime minister again offers a state funeral to someone on the left.
With the Conservatives’ new hammerlock on power — accomplished with a mere 40 per cent of the national vote — here at least was one joyous moment in which we could watch the country’s most powerful orator confront a prime minister who had no choice but to stand every time the rest of the room rose in rapturous pleasure at Lewis’s inspiring call for a more equal and generous Canada.
There will come a time when I write about the NDP leadership race. But right now all I can think about is the wonderful news that they're going to scatter some of Jack Layton's ashes on my beloved Toronto Islands.
Jack's ashes will also be scattered on the Toronto Islands, where Layton married his wife MP Olivia Chow in 1988.
A memorial tree will also be planted at the site on the islands.
Because that little community loves the NDP more than any other ...
(Click pic to enlarge)
And I absolutely love the idea of planting a little tree to remember him.
Like this one near the ferry dock...
So on an icy cold day I can wrap it in a blanket, or hurry over with a watering can on a hot one. Or ring my bicycle bell as I ride by it, like we did at Jack's funeral.
And of course guard it with my life eh?
Oh little tree of hope. May you grow like our beautiful movement.
Until you touch the stars...
