Quote:
Originally Posted by malcolmk14
Ralph Klein is the reason I want to go into public service later in life. When I was growing up, I admired the man. I've met quite a few politicians throughout my life but none left a lasting impact on me more than the time I met Mr. Klein. That's weird to even say Mr. Klein, the guy was so affable that the entire province was on a first name basis with him.
I was just sitting at a table with two friends in a random public place, and Mr. Klein came right up and said hello, and introduced himself like we didn't already know who he was. It was the most genuinely bizarre situation I've ever been in, but he happily engaged us in a conversation before he excused himself and wandered off.
I didn't know what to make of it for years afterward, and to this day I have no idea what I said to him or him to me. But the former Premier of our province just sat down with some 20 year old nobodies for five minutes and shot the breeze, I think that was pretty cool.
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That is Ralph in a nutshell. He simply liked everybody for the most part. Good on ya for following his inspiration.
As I have mentioned in the past, I have known the man since i was a young boy. Hell, he "babysat" at times while my single mother (at the time)was working a second job one night a week. Many laughs with him.
As i grew into a teenager and then a young man, i didnt see him as often as he got into the mayors office, but he would always ask about me when my mom and stepfather would go visit or vice versa. On my 21st birthday he surprised me by showing up to a little gathering my folks threw. Had a blast with him even then. So many stories through the years.
Though i havnet seen him now in several years, I will always have a very special spot for him. Going to miss the old guy just knowing he is no longer around...but also take solace that he is no longer suffering from one nasty disease that has robbed him of what should have been his golden years. This really sucks.