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charlene · 06-20-2023, 08:15 AM

Reflecting back, Lightfoot admits:

“In my first family, I’m afraid, at that particular time I guess I wasn’t around long enough to be of service to them, and I do regret that a great deal to this day,” he said. “[I] keep the lines of communication open at all times and see them regularly and the two grandchildren as well… My new family is growing and needs more attention. Since I won’t be following the route I did in my first marriage, I will be dealing with it practically. I hope I can handle it.”

At Care Net, the Christian ministry I work for, we focus on the private, hidden issue of abortion—often the collateral damage resulting from a promiscuous lifestyle like Lightfoot’s. In offering compassion, hope, and help to men and women facing pregnancy decisions, we’ll gently remind them that children—whether born or pre-born—are not lives worth sacrificing but lives worth sacrificing for. Lightfoot’s had to learn this the hard way.

Thankfully, “making amends for past mistakes… [has] become a priority. Responsibilities to… children…[are] now paramount.” Jennings notes: “If he’s sinned in the past, Lightfoot’s future was going to be all about redemption.”[4] Indeed, aging, a near-death experience in 2002, and the pain of regret have given him a different perspective than he had throughout his prime. Here’s evidence of that from his children:

“He’s definitely changed after the aneurysm,” adds Ingrid, “paying more attention to all of us and calling more.”[5]
Says Fred, his oldest son: “In my younger years I didn’t see much of Dad, but he’s been very supportive of my kids, especially Ben, who’s extremely autistic, and comes to visit a lot.”[6]
Meredith, one of his children from a later marriage observes: “One of the things that I admire about him is that he realizes he has room to grow… He’s still learning things about himself.”

https://www.carpentertheologian.com/...t-part-3-of-3/

“Writing songs is about finding the time, because it’s an isolated thing. You need to lock yourself in a room to do it, in one shape or another, whether it’s an empty house or hotel room.”
Gordon Lightfoot in Nicholas Jennings, Lightfoot (Viking, 2017), 88.

06-20-2023, 08:15 AM	#93
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	Re: R.I.P Gord Reflecting back, Lightfoot admits: “In my first family, I’m afraid, at that particular time I guess I wasn’t around long enough to be of service to them, and I do regret that a great deal to this day,” he said. “[I] keep the lines of communication open at all times and see them regularly and the two grandchildren as well… My new family is growing and needs more attention. Since I won’t be following the route I did in my first marriage, I will be dealing with it practically. I hope I can handle it.” At Care Net, the Christian ministry I work for, we focus on the private, hidden issue of abortion—often the collateral damage resulting from a promiscuous lifestyle like Lightfoot’s. In offering compassion, hope, and help to men and women facing pregnancy decisions, we’ll gently remind them that children—whether born or pre-born—are not lives worth sacrificing but lives worth sacrificing for. Lightfoot’s had to learn this the hard way. Thankfully, “making amends for past mistakes… [has] become a priority. Responsibilities to… children…[are] now paramount.” Jennings notes: “If he’s sinned in the past, Lightfoot’s future was going to be all about redemption.”[4] Indeed, aging, a near-death experience in 2002, and the pain of regret have given him a different perspective than he had throughout his prime. Here’s evidence of that from his children: “He’s definitely changed after the aneurysm,” adds Ingrid, “paying more attention to all of us and calling more.”[5] Says Fred, his oldest son: “In my younger years I didn’t see much of Dad, but he’s been very supportive of my kids, especially Ben, who’s extremely autistic, and comes to visit a lot.”[6] Meredith, one of his children from a later marriage observes: “One of the things that I admire about him is that he realizes he has room to grow… He’s still learning things about himself.” https://www.carpentertheologian.com/...t-part-3-of-3/ “Writing songs is about finding the time, because it’s an isolated thing. You need to lock yourself in a room to do it, in one shape or another, whether it’s an empty house or hotel room.” Gordon Lightfoot in Nicholas Jennings, Lightfoot (Viking, 2017), 88.