Whenever I think of long summer nights that followed days where the sun beamed late into the evening, I picture a sky illuminated entirely by stars, the distinct smell of fresh cut grass and the endless smiles that came from the familiar sound of “Bobcaygeon.”

The Tragically Hip were one of those bands that could unite anyone; no matter what setting it was in. Their songs were the kind that you couldn’t help but smile at and sing along to with the fans that in my opinion, all agree defined our nation.

Gord’s passing is the first celebrity death that hit me. Listening to their discography in his honour, I couldn’t help but fight back tears.

In that moment, the thoughts and memories that correlated with their music flooded my mind. Smiling as I reminisced, but saddened at the thought that this was essentially, the end of an era for myself and many others.

I think back to all the concerts I attended that featured their music before the opening act that were strategically meant to get the crowd excited before a show that wasn’t even their own.

A moment in time that froze as their lyrics brought together all the strangers in the crowd to bond over their words and melodies and share the same feeling of Canadian pride.

And in moments just like those, his spirit will continue to live on. May he rest in peace.