It was 1991, I was 18 years old and my brother was driving my date and I to my Matric Dance (it is like the Prom - but in South Africa). My brother and my date were second-year medical students and very cool and on the tape player (yes still tape in those days) came the most beautiful voice and sound I have ever heard in my young life. "So long Marianne" and "Susanne" were the first songs of Leonard Cohen I ever heard, and it was the beginning of a life-long admiration of the man with the voice that can make you melt and freeze at the same time.
Since that day I have accumulated CD's and books and clippings from magazines and also the DVD of him performing Live in London. On days when I want to treat myself I put that DVD on and sit there in my lounge and "have a day with Mr Cohen".
My husband bought me the biography "I'm your Man" - because I'm such a fan and I got totally lost in the book. How exciting was it not to get to now more about Mr Cohen growing up and his life and the amazing people he knew in his life, but to find that he still stayed so humble.
I watched YouTube clips and sat in awe at the calmness, humbleness and the great gentleman that is Leonard Cohen. And then one day my husband said: "When I die, you must play 'Halleluja' by Leonard Cohen at my funeral" - and I knew there was another convert.
Looking at your pictures these days you remind me so much of my dad - who is 80 this year. You look so similar with your grey beards and soulful eyes. When I see you sitting around the table with Adam and your grandson, I think, you are all these great things - but the greatest of all - you are a father and grandfather, just like my dad, and you love your family more than you love anything else and I think that is what gives you peace.
Thank you for blessing our lives with your words and music that never grows old or weary and never loses its impact - you are truly an example of how we should live. If more people could follow your example of gentlemanliness and humbleness, the world would be a much better place.
Happy birthday and many blessings!