Well, the world, and Canada in particular, has lost another one of its stellar people.  At the age of fifty-three, Gord Downie, frontman for the Tragically Hip music group, succumbed to the brain cancer that had been a part of his life for the past two years. But before Gord left he made sure to leave a lovely legacy of love with us. His music, poetry, writings, quotes, and general “live for love” attitude will long remain in the minds of those who knew him or of him in his lifetime.

Here is a short clip from a Tragically Hip statement on Gord’s death:

Gord knew this day was coming – his response was to spend this precious time as he always had – making music, making memories and expressing deep gratitude to his family and friends for a life well lived, often sealing it with a kiss… on the lips.

Gord said he had lived many lives. As a musician, he lived “the life” for over 30 years, lucky to do most of it with his high school buddies. At home, he worked just as tirelessly at being a good father, son, brother, husband and friend. No one worked harder on every part of their life than Gord. No one.

There are those of us who have lived a lengthy life and are ready to ready to make that next step.

And then, like Gord Downie, there are those of us whose lives are brought to a close long before we think our time is up.

It’s a matter of how well we live our lives that counts, how much good we do, how much love we share while we are here that counts because in the end every single one of us will experience the matter of dying. Gord did it so well.

RIP Gord Downie.

Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NIV