I had this on the FB fan page, but just wanted to share with his core group, sorry for the repeat, just wanted to share:
Ok, please feel free not to read what I'm writing, because I'm just going to type before I think. I spent an hour talking about Gord to someone I really respect and got the same response I always get, the fervent, "I LOVE Gordon Lightfoot." That look of love and happiness. It started me thinking more, yes more, about this.
Now please, do not think for a moment that I am comparing myself to Gord, but I live for being an artist (as so many of you on this site do, just seeing the talent you all have, or even if it's just the simple appreciation for what he does.) I make my living and feel I was put on this Earth to create videos. And when I started, it was after losing my beloved father, but working through that to find what I was meant to do. But being an artist, you have to lay yourself bare. I would shake when I presented my work to people because that was me on that screen - I put me in there and that's scary.
The beauty that Gordon brings to us through his music is so true and so authentic that I know that's what makes people have that look when they talk about him. But I can not imagine the toll it takes, or did, on him. The level of openness that you must have to be that conduit for that beauty in this world is extraordinary. But there's no simple way to close that up in everyday life.
I know that his fans all try to relay that to him. That by passing that beauty through to all of us, that he brings out the artist in us. The moments when you just close your eyes when you're listening to him because he gets you to that place.
There is no way to thank him for giving so much of himself. I can only hope that he knows when he sees all of the tributes that people do, when they play his songs, when they meet him and try to convey what he means to our lives, that he deserves every bit of that love and more. But it's impossible really to put it into words, because it's intangible. But I am so greatly affected by him as an artist, that I probably don't realize just how much he has touched me and my life. But I know I will always try to stay open, as much as he does, and keep channeling the beauty that is out there but so hard to manifest.
I'd like to think that he and we have all been blessed with him being here with us this long, still sharing and connecting, as a payback for all he's given to be that conduit.
I really hope I haven't gone on too long, but when something affects you this strongly, and finding his art surely has, I can't help but try to share what he means to me.