"Thank you, Gordon"

Char found this wonderful 1996 text
from Rosemary Phillips:

Fall, 1972
Toronto, Ontario

A warm soft-glow sunny evening and it was raining, one of those light rains, warm and comfortable, with sunlight turning each drop into a glistening diamond.

I left the CBC Daytime Programming offices on Church Street and headed for the subway station. Since starting my new job as a researcher for “Outside/Inside” I had been told on numerous occasions that Gordon Lightfoot lived in the apartment building right behind our offices. Many a time I wondered if I would ever bump into him, and in fleeting moments of daydreaming imagined his apartment where his head would be bent over sheets of paper as he created new songs. He was my hero. His music had filled my home while I was a student at Ryerson. I had seen him at Massey Hall. Even sang some of his songs. His lyrics touched me deeply – his insight. He saw life and gave it to me in music - from the go-go girls on Yonge Street to the gentleness and wonder of nature, the pain and joys of love, human trials, and the old man who came home from the forest.

As I turned the corner off Church Street I removed my shoes and timidly danced barefoot in those liquid diamonds that fell around me. The concrete sidewalk was warm to my feet. I stepped onto a low wall and balanced as I danced, shoes held in my hands. I was enjoying each moment. Sunny rain. Then through my haze I recognized a handsome man walking towards me - Gordon Lightfoot - strolling back to his apartment building. I went into shock. My heart pounded furiously.

“What do I do?” was my thought. “Do I say anything? Do I just keep walking? Do I just smile? How can I thank him?”

I was so nervous. I could talk to mayors and premiers no problem, but with an artist who touched my heart I had immense difficulty. I must have looked strange. There I was, dancing in the rain, not something people normally did on Toronto streets. I managed to hold my balance on the wall and kept moving forward. My heart jumped right up through my throat and choked my tongue. I couldn’t speak. I just wanted to say, “Thank you.”

He walked by, lost in his own distant thoughts.

It’s been many years since that moment, a moment I will never forget. Too many years. And I still haven’t said, “Thank you”. The last time I saw Gordon was at the Stein Valley Festival where his words and music floated over an attentive audience that sat or lay huddled under blankets in a field and stared at a star lit sky as he sang the “Canadian Railroad Trilogy.” His music still fills my home, and when I’m driving the roads of this wonderful country called Canada, his gentle voice and inspiring poetry follow me on twists and turns, over mountains and through valleys, around lakes, through forests and along rivers.

Thank you Gordon. At last I can say it. Thank you for all you have given and will be giving - from your heart. You are truly a unique and wonderful being.

That's totally awesome, Rosemary. Like I've said before, I really hope he reads our posts!!

Sheryl

You are welcome,Rosemary.

Gord, is that YOU??

[brink]

I doubt it.

[Cathy]

quote:Originally posted by brink:
I doubt it.

T.M.O.T.D... The Man Of The Day?

Probably DMD3.

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com

[jj]

ya, i really loved that too and want to clarify that i posted that 'on behalf' of the woman, that's why i used "BY" but maybe that was misleading, sorry, i shoulda just used my jj id, i suppose

on a similar note, but not quite, i remember going into a sarah mclachlin concert (at Massey, it was wonderful, late 90's) and realized i was right behind Greg Keelor shuffling along slowly...i kept almost tapping him on the shoulder to just drop a quick non-space-invading "i've been an admirer of your writing for years" but i kept putting my finger back in my pocket...this went on for 90 seconds or so until i finally decided to go for it, what the heck

at the same moment, some loud-alcohol-reeking guy cut in and threw his arms around Greg and blurted "you're f**king awesome, man!" lol, i'd lost my moment and just moved along to my balcony seat...he who hesitates is lost, lol

btw, for folks who are sitting up front in Hamilton, one of the cleanest sound mixes i heard was of Blue Rodeo (Keelor/Cuddy) from the 3rd row at Hamilton Place so I hope it's just as great next weekend... atleast the volume won't be too soft, which i have found at many GL gigs...then again, i could be going deaf, agh

jjtoven

[SilverHeels]

What a beautiful memory - thanks, Char, for finding this and sharing. Toronto in '72 ... *sigh* ... I remember it well.

[Borderstone]

Sheryl,I'm guessing that,while it would be super cool if that was Gordon Lightfoot,it more than likely is someone either pulling your leg or just being nice in some odd manner.

Also,I think the initials stand for "The Minstrel Of The Dawn". ...but if that is GL,well.....HI!!

------------------
"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." - Borderstone

[Cathy]

quote:Originally posted by Borderstone:
Sheryl,I'm guessing that,while it would be super cool if that was Gordon Lightfoot,it more than likely is someone either pulling your leg or just being nice in some odd manner.

Also,I think the initials stand for "The Minstrel Of The Dawn". ...but if that is GL,well.....HI!!



D'oh! I never was any good at these abbreviations!

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com