When I was in Banff, staying with Kathleen Pike, an old friend from Edmonton Strathcona District, it was interesting to note that all her “high road” efforts in life had been acknowledged in a newspaper article. The ceremony given in her honour, although timely, did not even begin to state all the things that she has done for her family, or for society in general.
This is not unlike her father’s niece, Linda Duncan, leader of Alberta’s NDP party.
To be NDP in Alberta..is to be, if anything, first courageous.
Linda Duncan’s Bio reveals volumes about someone who represents courage and kindness. Fortunately, she is intelligent.
She came back to Alberta in her early career as a lawyer in Bangladesh(an anomaly in itself) to be with her 2 dying sisters; Susan, dying of Cancer of the Cervix and Dana, dying of MS. Her mother was soon to die in an accident.
It appears that the entire family, with origins at University of Alberta, have a passion for the prairie and mountain outdoor, outward bound experience, the love of animals, and a commitmnet to the welfare of it’s Alberta citizens.
The insert of Jane Field’s Family, (the lady holding that little ‘Buddha Baby’ & another cousin of Kathleen’s) is a perfect metaphor for the madness and sanity of every family. Just think of R. D. Lang’s book. The spoof on the traditional family portrait, is kind of fun..even… thoughtful.
Also, I am having problems putting pictures on my blog, so you do not even get the article or picture of Kathleen and her 30 years of service at the Banff Hospital as an RN.