My father was a Korean war Veteran, who served in the 7th Infantry Division. History scholars will know that The 7th took it in the chops all through that conflict.

In retrospect, I would say that my father definitely suffered PTSD and as a result, so did the rest of the family. Anger and abuse were a regular diet for us kids, and I must say that we had a lot to overcome to get on with life. There were many scars and pain in the wake of his emotional and psychic turmoil.

Years later I discovered Leonard Cohen in Saskatchewan, while listening to a CBC programme. I was instantly caught by the chords and melody of Closing Time. I must admit, I did not remember a word of the lyrics because my ears were feasting on what seemed a unique arrangement.
I found out the name, Leonard Cohen, and noted it in my journal. I was soon to depart for Northern Canada where I would not hear music for some time because of the remote location, which could only be accessed by float plane.

When 2009 rolled in five years had passed. I had returned to Pennsylvania, the Internet, and searched this Leonard fellow on you-tube. I must admit, I was instantly smitten, and more so with each song!

I had listened to and cried through Hallelujah numerous times; however, I as licked my emotional wounds following a failed marriage. As I pondered how I would ever have a life again, this song began to comfort me. Now Hallelujah is a celebration for me.

I searched all things Cohen, and discovered The Leonard Cohen forum. I also found leonardcohen.com, and found the Live In London music videos; needless to say, and as many of you will understand, I became immersed in all Cohen-esque matters.

How could this man get inside MY head and MY heart??? Words shall fail me as I say that I was forever changed, and in a sense, healed! I sputtered a few words to Leonard, feeling quite the inept fool, even forgetting to ask for a photograph with him. When all the others kissed him, alas I was too timid....damn!

My father came to spend the night after a laser treatment on his eye. I gave Dad my bed, and began working on the computer, with Leonard playing on the computer speakers. My father called out my name and asked me to turn up the volume! I was thrilled he was enjoying the music. Dad told me of watching Austin City Limits years before, even relating the songs in great detail. Father said in a melancholy voice that he looked for decades, and never saw or heard him again. For me that meant a lot, as I know, I KNOW, my father had been touched in manner that he rarely allowed.

We listened for several hours as I played the songs that he remembered. We had something in common and finally a connection. That was a special and poignant time for me, as Dad was not going to live another two years.

Father inevitably came to a time and a state of health that required a nursing home. Mother was extremely upset to put him there....it was a hard decision. As Dad began to have sun-downing, and began having flashbacks to Korea, he had to be sedated. Even so, when I came in and played my android to him, he would move his hands to the beat of whatever song I played to him, Leonard Cohen of course.
As he began to fail, and we were summoned for his last time with us, I played Anthem...."forget your perfect offering.....The Holy Dove will be bought and sold and bought again," seemed to bring comfort to him. Bruce McGuire passed away January 11, 2012.

Soon after, I booked passage and arranged to see Leonard in Dublin at Kilmainham. I met many wonderful Cohen-ites there...kindred spirits.
Attending the first two concerts were breathtaking, and emotional pilgrimage had taken place for me. As Anthem played that first night, I had a good cry, and comfort from a good friend in this family we belong.

I did meet Leonard, and felt a fool, but he did look me deep in the eyes, and that brief moment in time is etched in my mind's eye. Leonard has made friends and family of many of us. I never dreamed before that year that I would walk down Upper O'Connell street, in Dublin, with so many wonderful friends giving me well wishes and invitations to visit them. I truly felt like I belonged to the best part of the human condition that day.

I hope to see another Leonard Cohen tour, but what I have enjoyed with Gwen, Mandy, Deirdre, Marina, Faridon, Christine, Ingrid, Fay, Nigel, Terry, Tony, Martine, and many other's whose names fail me at the moment, will never likely be bested.

Thank you, Leonard, for all of the tangible and not so tangible gifts bestowed upon me. I can never repay the debt.

Merci beau coup!

Wishing you a day ........

filled with all things Happy and Birthday!!!!

Every so often I play your music, or seek out your lyrics ... then I pick up a pen and see what words form as the ink wanders across the page accompanied by my hand. Your lyrical memories evoke memories of my own ... help me to ticker off at tangents ... make me feel as though I have a companion with whom I can fall down rabbit holes.

My virtual gifts for your day are a cup of my espresso ... one of my finest inner smiles ... a moment of silence whilst I gaze at my favourite piece of string.