Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Heroes Part Two

"I’d like to say something. Doesn’t matter that Harry’s gone. People die every day. Friends, family. Yeah, we lost Harry tonight. He’s still with us (gestures to chest) in here. So’s Fred, and Remus, Tonks…all of them. They didn’t die in vain! But you will! Cause you’re wrong! Harry’s heart did beat for us, for all of us. It’s not over!" Neville Longbottom in the Deathly Hallows.


The Sweet Patootie and I went to see The Deathly Hallows the other night.  We found it DARK with no leavening in the whole story. I think that must be due to the splitting of the final book into two. The balance was off. Nonetheless - we enjoyed it and there were definite moments of brilliance. One of the shiniest of those moments was dear old Neville Longbottom coming into his strength. I always liked him - such a funny little lad - so dear and wooly-headed. 


This morning, as I did my sitting practice, I did tonglen for Jack Layton. This is a practice done for those who are ailing, sick, dying, or any sort of suffering. After I finished and I was settling my mind, the speech above - from Neville - came into my mind. And I sort of changed it up because of the circumstances.
Jack at announcement


Picture him who shall not be named or 'his beigeness' as I like to call him. He is suitably sad for his fallen comrade, Jack, but perhaps just a little smug. After all - didn't his spin-doctors talk about Jack during the election as 'looking tired' and suggest that perhaps, due to his cancer, not able to properly lead the party, let alone the country? Yes, they did. So, his beigeness stands there with that concerned fatherly look - 'don't worry, I'll take care of you all, even if 60 % of you are wrong-headed ninnys'. And lo - up rises someone - who is it? I don't know - maybe it is Nycole Turmel, the current caucus chair, and Jack's choice for interim leader. She's a new and truly dark horse - not a bumble-head like the early Neville but she'll do. She stands up, in my imaginary scene, to confront 'his beigeness'.


"I’d like to say something. Doesn’t matter that Jack's sick. People get sick every day. Friends, family. Yeah, we don't have Jack tonight. He’s still with us (gestures to chest) in here. So’s Tommy Douglas, and David Lewis, Audrey, Ed and Stephen…all of them. Some of them died and some have left the political field to younger warriors. But they didn't live and fight in vain! But you will! Cause you’re wrong! Jack’s heart beats for us, for all of us. It’s not over!" 
Thank you for indulging me. I'm just not done with this and don't feel like writing about other stuff.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jan - Hey, if you feel moved to keep writing about this, why shouldn't you? And I like the way you think :-). You make a good point about real heroes and "fake heroes," too...

Carol Kilgore said...

I think we have to write about things that consume our passion. So write away, my friend.

Hart Johnson said...

That WAS a great speech, wasn't it? And I love your transferrence of it to 'keeping the hope' of political figures who inspire us, even if they are sick or if they die.

Unknown said...

I have heard about his story and it's sad. No one should have to face cancer once, never mind twice. I hope he fights hard. We'll see how it all turns out in the end.