Writing from Hydra

[ilion]

My friends, I have been absent from the forum for a long time as after Leonard's passing it was almost too painful to come here, although his music still brought me much joy. Even when I did come here regularly I seldom, if ever, posted, mostly just taking joy in the conversation around our shared interest in the works of Mr. Cohen.

But I write to you know from the bench on Hydra. The one forum activity I did participate in was donating funds towards building the bench and I remember the difficulties in bringing it to fruition. Even when it was built, I wasn't sure I'd ever manage to make it here. Although I always had an interest in travel, I lived most of my life in Western Canada and an adventure such as this only recently became a possibility for me.

I know there's been meet-ups in Hydra for several years, the last one being pretty recent so this probably isn't news, but I will say the bench is in great condition without any signs of graffiti. A few cigarette butts suggest recent usage. The view is amazing and the temperature hot. The cicadas are giving me a post-noon concert and seemed to appreciate my listening to So Long Marianne. It seemed appropriate, if perhaps the obvious choice.

Be well everyone. It's truly a beautiful thing we helped build here in honour of someone who touched us all.

[199Dan]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[dar]

Congratulations on your visit to Hydra. Thanks for the update on The Bench. Enjoy your time on the island.

[Wybe]

Hello ilion,
We where there in May, here is a little video of the Bench during our meetup.

https://www.icantforget.nl/TheBench2023.html

Hope the see you at one of our meetings or at the next event in Copenhagen,

Wybe

[dar]

Thanks for documenting some the meet-up at The Bench 2023. Loved to see everyone singing and sharing their love of LC. We're all aging in our bodies but our hearts are unified and ageless. Just rags of light leaning on each other.
Be well.

[anneporter]

Thanks for posting the memories, Wybe and for being our faithful documentarian

[lizzytysh]

Wijbe ~

Such melancholy I feel, listening to and watching your video of The Bench celebration.

~ Lizzie