Something extraordinary happened in the world on Thursday evening.
• Also read: [EN IMAGES] Funeral of Jean Lapointe: His family braved the storm to say goodbye
As the planet consumed with reckoning between Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and the royal family, in Outremont hundreds of people paid tribute to the most imperfect creature alive.
Some have been paid millions to vent in the public square. The others have come to terms with a vigil because the state of Québec did not want to grant a state funeral for their father, who was probably too popular and sometimes too excessive. Too short.
Some constantly complain that they didn’t get what they thought they were entitled to in return. The others took the hit nobly.
Some settled scores with families who didn’t understand them. The others, having forgiven, honored the memory of the one who, through his talent, his humility, his authenticity, will leave an indelible mark on our collective memory.
A Thursday evening in December is the contrast between two families; one royal, the other truly Quebecois. The contrast between the Sussexes and the Lapointes.
perspective
It would be so easy to see a parallel there. But on the contrary.
The royal family’s straitjacket and incestuous relationship with the press justifies Harry and Meghan to set the record straight.
Following the same pattern, Anne-Élizabeth and Jean-Louis filled the pages of Quebec magazines telling us how their father, whom they loved so much but was an alcoholic, put them through hell.
Because don’t doubt it, he definitely has. That is the fate of alcoholic parents. They worship their children but cause them immeasurable suffering.
The pain that can be caused by a beloved father giving in to his demons at the wrong time to destroy what is most precious to him is certainly as painful, if not more so, than the betrayal a young prince might face in the face of the Coldness of a family trapped in their unhealthy traditions.
This is where the contrast between these two stories becomes interesting.
Some were carried away by their own disappointment. Others have long since chosen to teach us, understand us, support us, and most importantly, forgive us.
We can only thank them. In mourning Jean Lapointe, his children offered us lessons beyond their father’s legacy.
resilience
We live in a society based on happiness. Worse, by making individual rights a religion, we believe we have a right to happiness.
Since when ? Since when should it be simple, fair, linear. Since when is life not a difficult path, criss-crossed and overcome through failures, victories and hard-learned lessons.
Indeed, it is the most beautiful legacy that Jean Lapointe will leave us. That he taught us that we overcome by standing up, we overcome by asking for help, and forgive by being generous.
happiness is there
