Ruminations

Blog dedicated primarily to randomly selected news items; comments reflecting personal perceptions

Sunday, October 15, 2006

An Estimable Persona

Impressive. Quite. As a matter of fact, far as my eye can see, a truly refreshing change from those who preceded her. As I recollect, these women manifested much lesser traits; they were aloof, imperious, some given to backroom/bedroom manipulation, and some were so completely self-involved as to make a laughing-stock of their place in the firmament of leading ladies. This young woman appears to be quite different, with her head firmly grounded, her values intact, her public persona much to be admired.

She's no slouch in any area she is commanded to perform in by dint of her husband's political position. Nor in those areas she is commended for performance as a very involved mother of two young children. Yet she obviously has a mind of her own, and interests far removed from those involving her duties as wife of the Prime Minister of Canada - and mother of their children.

She has an affinity for motorcycles and from what has appeared in public print enjoys driving them, much as a free spirit would. And, credit to her husband whose personality is that of a driven man - he appears to respect her own drives and her native intelligence. She is, by all reports, not given to airs about herself and her place for the time being, as Canada's "first wife".

More power to her, and a whole lot of self-congratulations to us. For the price of one, we appear to have received two intelligent, hard-working and dedicated people the better to lead the land; he by political administration; she by example.

Laureen Harper has engaged herself in the defence of the defenceless, taking it upon herself, despite the press of her many obligations, to offer her support to the Ottawa Humane Society. She brings into her home rescued stray cats which require fostering. In this way she demonstrates for her children the compassion we all should feel and demonstrate toward companion animals in distress. I very much doubt that 24 Sussex Drive has ever before been designated a "foster home" for society's abandoned pets.

She is a patron of the arts, as befits an individual with her standing. Not only has she lent her considerable name to high-profile funding events such as the recent National Arts Centre fundraising dinner, but she also goes out of her way to be helpful in more mundane ways. She offered to assist in the actual setting up and decorating of the venue, held at the National Gallery's great hall. After which she elegantly took her place during the ball/dinner in greeting guests and donors on behalf of the NAC.

Mrs. Harper doesn't stand on ceremony, and makes herself available in support of worthy causes - such as child literacy. Teach the child and you have supported the adult and enriched the community. A national newspaper initiated a nationally-advertised drive to alert parents and educators to the need to encourage literacy and the love of literature in children. Laureen Harper was out on downtown Ottawa streets with other volunteers, garbed in literacy tee-shirts, handing out literature, encouraging participation.

Laureen Harper has volunteered at her children's public school, just as so many other parents do. She creates the graphics for posters advertising various school events, and drives about the city as a volunteer picking up donated books for the school's yearly book sale. Her husband assisted along with her in sorting through the books, alongside other volunteers.

If this woman isn't a poster-female for other busy wives and mothers, then who, conceivably, is?

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