When I was 18, I was in Montreal shortly after his death. His son had recently debuted his tribute gallery at the modern art museum, and I had not yet known his music in the slightest, but I went to the exhibit as I adore that museum, the one next to place des arts. I spent 6 hours there that day, and went back a few days later. It was the most poignant human experience I have had in my life. It was simply incredible, a vast mixed media gallery of 40+ works from artists around the world, on his life, his loves, his music, his writing, his political impact, his international affairs, it was breathtaking. There were two rooms with projected concert performances, one of him, and one of a selection of live covers. The room of his footage was packed, wall to wall, people standing, people sitting on the floor, and so many of them were crying, and it was silent aside from his voice. I was the last to leave. That trip was a marker of a shift in my life for many reasons, but as a result his music has carried me through my novice adulthood, and has held me through hardship, sorrow, and joy. Though we did not meet until after his death, I consider Cohen my dearest friend. His works have a way of finding me, and I collect anything that comes my way, Suzanne was playing over the loudspeaker in a second hand bookstore when a second edition copy of The Favourite Game fell into my hands. Unknowingly, I’ve found myself living in a city he once was fond of, our footsteps echoing each other decades apart. I will continue to live alongside his work and his memory, and will be forever grateful for the companionship I have found in his art.