Who'd have thought a state funeral could be so amazing?

The state funeral for Jack Layton, leader of the opposition, has just finished. He had wanted it to be a celebration of life and of hope, and so it was.

I watched in spite of my general lack of regard for politicians, but I don't think I shall see this kind of national outpouring of respect and honour and grief for a public official again in my lifetime.

I will just say that the celebration included not only opening classical music, but fabulous jazz, pop, and rock. The opening was an aboriginal blessing from the First Nations' leader, Shawn Atleo, and there were readings from both the Qur'an and the Christian Bible. There were several eulogies, of course, including two from his son and daughter from his first marriage. All garnered much clapping, whistling and many standing ovations. But the best, IMO, was the clergyman's speech/sermon--which says a great deal, since I'm not a proponent of organized religion. In fact, the clergyman wasn't what I had been expecting either--he's the pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto and is a leading gay rights activist in this country. He's also married, his husband's name is John. How cool is that? If I'd had an openly gay--and open-minded, inclusive--minister when I was growing up, I might feel very differently about "god" and the "church." But that's another topic.

I really was blown away by it all and hope, though don't expect, that people will continue his work, will continue his vision for a better country for all, not just the rich. Right now everyone's caught up in the emotion, but soon enough politicians will return to the business of back-stabbing and power-mongering. I don't know who will be elected the next leader of the NDP, but I think it will be a long, long time before another politician speaks to Canadians--no matter what their political leanings--the way Jack Layton seemed to have done.

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http://www.globalnews.ca/sports/canada/layton+funeral+takes+on+feel+of+political+rally+as+social+democracy+extolled/6442471027/story.html

"The coffin of the late NDP Leader Jack Layton sits under a spotlight during his state funeral at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto on Saturday, August 27, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn"