Like everybody else I knew Gord Downie was dying, from an aggressive form of brain cancer that grows fast and spreads quickly.
But I was amazed at how long he lasted before death finally claimed him.
I was impressed by all the things he managed to do in the time he had left.
And nothing moved me more than this.
This weekend will mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Chanie Wenjack, the Ojibway boy who ran away from a residential school, only to die of hunger and exposure.
The boy Gord Downie, who is also dying, has made it his last project to remember.
You know, this boy...
I never heard the story of Chanie Wenjack, an Ojibway boy who lived in Northern Ontario, until today.
And although it made me feel terribly sad, I'm glad I did.
Because it couldn't be a more Canadian story, or a more powerful story of resistance.
Even if it ended so tragically.
It took me a few years to fall in love with the Tragically Hip. I always loved their name, I thought it was so cool or...um...so hip.
And when I heard that their lead singer was a poet I was even more impressed.
But it wasn't until my big brother took me to one of their shows, that I realized what a great band they were.
And their final performance last night was the best and most moving show I have ever seen.
