86 years today Leonard was born…

86 years ago today, the single most influential human in my life was born. His music and poetry reach deep into my soul. The friends I’ve made, the adventures. The concerts, each one sublime, each one saying more please. He gave us everything for. Having the best moments of my life when I spoke with him, and yes I was more than blessed. I’m forever grateful.
The photo on the left is the newest addition to my unified hearts collection. Thanks to a FB ad, which lead my friend Ruth on a search, and for only a few quid we got these.
On the right, a collage of one of my favourite days. I gave Leonard red roses, which he then put on the stage. Top two photos I have to thank Edward. And not only for the photos. Ed was of huge importance to Leonard, and always friendly and kind to us fans.
Bottom left I took during the concert, and bottom right was captured by James. Thank you James. I’ll always treasure this image.
Now friends today is also International Day of Peace, so be kind, and also World Gratitude Day. As always I’m grateful for friends, music, robins, and of course Leonard ❤

Remembering The Roses

It is hard to believe it is four years today since I gave Leonard roses, and he put them on the stage for his final Kilmainham concert. It was a magical day, one forever etched in my heart, and one that will remain one of my most favourite days.
Read about this amazing day here:

https://myleonardcohenjourney.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/rose-story/

I’m blessed with having some special photographs from this day.

Waiting, thank you Ed for this photo.

Handing Leonard the roses, captured by Ed.

Handing Leonard the roses, captured by James

Overcome with emotion, and comforted by Paula. I can’t remember who took this photo.

Leonard performing with my roses behind him. Such an amazing feeling to see them on the stage. Concert photos by myself.

I love this photo, one of my favourites that I took during any of the concerts.

The definition of cool. Doesn’t Leonard look great here!

Intimacy, the kind that only Leonard could create with 10,000 people in attendance!

I was blessed to meet Leonard again in 2013, and asked him to sign this photo. He told me  he really liked it. Yes friends, I know how lucky I am. How lucky not only for those magical days, but for the memories, and ability to relive them in my mind, and for the memories to come alive with these photos.

Leonard at the Beginning…….

A discussion on Facebook led me to comment I have a few special photos of Leonard at the beginning of the concerts. The following six I think are my best ones from these moments. It isn’t always possible to get good photos at this stage because fans can be clapping wildly over their heads so I feel blessed I was able to get these photos which I think tell a special story of the connection between Leonard and the audience on a given night.

Kilmainham September 14th 2012. (This was the day after I bought this camera with the sole purpose of being able to get better photos of Leonard in concert!)

Kilmainham September 15th 2012

Toronto December 5th 2012

New York April 7th 2013

Brussels June 30th 2013

The O2 Dublin September 12th 2013

All photos by Gwen Langford.

My Event Photo Exhibit

During December 2013 I received an email from Paula McCann, the Chairperson of the organising committee for the Dublin Event asking would I like to have some photos exhibited at the Event. I was honoured to be asked and to be a small part of what was a wonderful weekend. Photos of the photos at the Event will follow in albums of the actual Event. For now here are the photos that were used. Thank you Paula for having the vision to allow me do this and Albert Noonan for the professional final prints.

 

Alex at The O2 2013

Peacock in all his glory in Altamont Gardens in Tullow, Carlow, Ireland.

Tour debut of Anyhow in Kilmainham September 15th 2012

Charley at Kilmainham

Cozy Time at Dublin Zoo

A smiling Leonard at the end of the Dublin O2 concert on September 12th  2013

Hattie at Kilmainham

Leonard analysing the new song I’ve Got a Secret in Dublin 2013

Japanese Gardens in Kildare during the big freeze in 2010

Javier at The O2 2013

Kilmainham

Kylemore Abbey

Leonard at The O2 2013

Mitch at Kilmainham

O’Connell Bridge Seagull

Roscoe at The O2 2013

Sharon at Kilmainham

St. Stephens Green Robin

Suzanne @ The O2 Dublin 2013

The O2 Dublin stage 2013

Meeting Leonard on Ireland AM

When Ireland AM (an Irish TV breakfast show) requested photos of viewers with famous people I couldn’t resist sending in a photo of me with Leonard from Kilmainham.

Here is my post on Twitter to them:

And here is a screenshot of them showing the photo on the show this morning.

Watch the clip here http://http://www.tv3.ie/3player/show/184/55460/1/Ireland-AM This clip will be viewable for 28 days. Skip forward to 7 minutes 7 seconds unless  one would wish to view an interview with Jedward first 😉

Roscoe @ Kilmainham

Roscoe performing in Kilmainham photo collage.

Kilmainham Photos Night 4

I will never forget Leonard’s kindness to me when I gave him the roses and for him to have put them on the stage for the concert is something I will treasure forever.

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Kilmainham Photos Night 3

I decided it was time to get me a camera worthy of taking photos of Leonard and Co so was much happier with the results for night 3.

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Kilmainham Photos Night 2

I was further back for the concert on Wednesday but it meant I could witness a magical sunset to match the magic from the stage. Also having our President in attendance was special for me.

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Kilmainham Photos Night 1

Not many good photos from the first concert due to a freezing cold Gwen and a constant stream of people walking by my seat near the aisle. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the concert though!

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