He lost the battle so soon after that. In some ways, I felt like I had played the fool, and he had given me false hope. I was upset with myself for believing him. I was upset with the world because it’s never a fair fight against cancer. I was upset with Jack Layton for dying.

But then I watched Canada react to her loss. To see so many people who cared, so many people who were inspired and believed in him – it was something truly special to behold. I wasn’t wrong to think he would eventually resume his leadership. I wasn’t a fool to hope that he would live to fight another day. The entire country had suffered a loss. Canada had been a better place with him in it.

Thank you for sharing your stories about him. It’s inspiring just to know that such a man existed. There’s nothing political about this for me: Jack Layton gave me hope, even if it was only for a little while. I don’t know if there’s a greater gift you can give.