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Tuesday, December 7, 2010

A Tribute to John Lennon


I think in my lifetime there stands three moments in which time stood still; one of those moments that becomes indelible in our minds and our souls. I am sure we can all remember exactly what we were doing that exact second when we heard the words: “Our President, John F Kennedy has been shot”; “John Lennon has just been shot in front of the Dakota, and died on the way to the hospital”; and the incident that changed the world, hearing “A plane has just hit the Twin Towers” – the day of Sept 11. It is these three tragedies that caused within me a fear, heartbreak, numbness that I will always carry with me.




Today, December 8th, marks the 30th Anniversary of that tragic evening when John Lennon, returning from a late night of recording, was gunned down in front of his home, The Dakota, with his bloodied glasses and a copy of his just released album Double Fantasy, which he had just signed for “a fan”, laying next to him. How ironic that all he ever wanted was Peace, as he sang “Give Peace a Chance”; or “Imagine” asking us to “Imagine there's no heaven, no hell below us, above us only sky, Imagine all the people living for today…” – it was all he ever asked for, only to be destroyed against all that he was asking us to believe in.




Born in Liverpool, England, on October 9, 1940 during a German attack with air sirens all around, everything had grounded to a standstill almost destroying most of Liverpool that night. It wasn’t long after that that John took up the guitar to fill the void of loneliness in his life. Although we always think of John Lennon as the fighter and the rebel of the Beatles, within, he was truly shy and very self-conscious. Never really wanting the fame that brought him to us and which ultimately took him away from us. In New York he found the quietness he was seeking, and where he retired from writing and performing; living the sheltered, peaceful life he was always seeking. It was only 3 months before his death, that a renewal of life took over and he start recording his first album in years “Double Fantasy” – I always thought it ironical as I listened to that album over and over that day, that the main song was “Starting Over” singing… “Our life together is so precious, our love still special…it’s just like Starting Over again”. It is almost like he had a premonition of what was to come.





In an interview just weeks before his meeting with John Chapman, John Lennon spoke these words: “You know..give peace a chance, not shoot people for peace. All we need is love – it’s damned hard, but I really believe it. Were not the first to say “Imagine no countries, or give peace a chance, passing it on from generation to generation”…”I’ve never claimed divinity. I’ve never claimed purity of soul. I’ve never claimed to have the answer to life. I can only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can, but only as honestly as I can – no more – no less”.


“You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one – I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.” May he find the peace and tranquility in the heaven he was seeking all his life.




Daisy Photo by YankeeGirl.etsy.com
 
 **I highly recommend anyone who is a true John Lennon fan, read Philip Norman’s book, “John Lennon, The Life” – you will learn the truth behind the man we all looked to for a peaceful world. The book is one of my treasured Christmas gifts from my boys last Christmas.

9 comments:

storybeader said...

thank you for that! {:-D

Miss Val's Creations said...

Wonderful tribute. I was too young to remember his passing. However the moment I heard about the trade towers I will never forget. Another one of those memories for me was when the Space Shuttle Challenger perished in space and there was a local astornaut on board. ~Val

Pamela Baker said...

Val - I remember watching that space shuttle explosion also. My thoughts were those poor children who were watching their teacher so proudly.

Erika said...

I was too young to remember Lennon but later in life (I think as a teenager)I discovered his lyrics. I would sit quietly and just soak in the music and feel the hairs on my body stand.
The tribute is beautiful.

Splendid Little Stars said...

lovely tribute! bringing tears to my eyes. I agree that the 3 moments you mention were very defining and shocking. definitely checking out that book! sharing this post with others.
oh yes...perusing the comments...the space shuttle, too.

Night Sky Jewelry said...

I'll never forget the day John Lennon died. My daughters and grandsons have all grown up to love the music and passion of John Lennon, and it makes me happy to know that he lives on in their hearts, and the hearts of millions of others.

BTW, I've been to the "Imagine" memorial in Central Park, just minutes after someone had laid down a fresh Peace sign with rose petals. I have pictures of my daughter and I there. I loved sharing that moment with her.

Thank you for this lovely tribute, Pam!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Pam for giving us a time to reflect on John
Lenon and what a great person he was.

yankeegirl said...

Thank you so much for including my photograph in this lovely tribute to a peaceful, talented man. Just think of all of the music that we never heard....

viajar egipto said...

Thanks for the informative. Fantastic blog. Congratulations!!!