There are days that shouldn't be and last Wednesday has definitely been one of these.
I arrived home from a visit and thought better check my mails, just only to find out that a good friend of mine on this side of the pond passed away. Made me cry... Then I talked to my friend Heike and a message from Wayne ( O' Connor) came in with this unbelievable message of Bruce's passing and that knocked me completely down. It took a while to get me back again and I reflected about the last 25 years since I got to know you, Bruce.
I'm a Riggie since 1993 when my husband got me a cassette just saying 'listen to it', it's been Alba, the Runrig song compilation. I liked it from the start but then It took some time to  finally see them live on stage - I made it to 4 shows with Donnie and then after a year of uncertainty Bruce appeared out of the blue. You have to know that I wanted to go to Nova Scotia since a while and I told my husband now we're going... so, after my first gig with you  in Mannheim at the Capitol,  my first question to ask you backstage has been: how's the weather in Nova Scotia in June... as we already decided to go there in June 99.
This first concert has been followed by 163 more until the Last Dance in Stirling in 2018.
This first visit to Nova Scotia has been followed by 37 more and the 39. will start in early October. Of course we have seen you at many solo shows on both sides of the pond: big venues, festival, Songwriter Circles and very small venues with just 2 or 3 dozens of people.
We often scheduled our vacation after your touring plan and never got disappointed. Then in 2012 at Celtic Colours time sitting in Carole (MacInnis) kitchen I got a message from you that you would need someone for the merch on the upcoming german tour. Carole and Heike convinced me to do it and I never regretted it and I could at least give somethimg back for the wonderful music and time you shared with us fans. In 2019 we made all the Christmas shows in Germany and I finally met Jodi. I have had the pleasure to be at shows of The Port Cities with Dylan on both sides of the pond. Who would have thought that we would never meet again? not me, I took all and everything for granted. Then Covid came upon us and you highlighted this dark time with your online Songwriter Circles, which we always watched in the middle of the nights.
I could go on with many stories and anecdotes, but it's enough as I am in tears again.
Tears of sadness and tears of thankfulness:
of sadness as we'll never say again see us  when we'll  see us, I'll never hear your wonderful, strong, comforting and powerful voice again in reality. 
of thankfulness: as you made me love Nova Scotia and especially Cape Breton, for all people I got to know and to love through you joining Runrig, most of my closest friends I wouldn't have met without you, for your understanding in dark situations and for the laughs we shared  - just for  being you.
Last Wednesday a strong rope deeply anchored in my heart has thorn and I feel somehow helpless, lost, sad and discouraged - I know your music will help to heal this in future days.
These feelings are shared my many people from around the globe.
My deepest condolences, thoughts, prayers and love are with your wonderful family, especially Kim, Jodi and Dylan. Please stay strong and be assured that your husband,
father and family member is loved by us all and will never be forgotten.
My trip to Nova Scotia will definitely be different from all before.
 
R.I.P and thank you for everything
Andrea Lichtenberg