The song "Imagine" was on a John Lennon album released in 1971. I had just graduated from high school and had my whole life ahead of me. John's wish for peace seemed like a lofty goal that year while the Viet Nam war was still being fought. But it touched our generation and the song is just as popular today as it was 34 years ago.
Fast forward to 1980. I had been married and was divorced. I was a single mom raising my son in the SF Bay area. I was taking some college classes to complete my degree. That December night, 25 years ago today, on my way home from school, I heard the news that John Lennon had been murdered. I remember the overwhelming feeling of sadness. John seemed to have finally gotten to that place in his life where he seemed happy and settled. He & Yoko had the rest of their lives together to share in that peace. My generation was faced with yet another loss of a symbol for hope and peace. JFK, MLK, RFK and now this?
Fast forward to 2005. Today, is the 25th anniversary of the day John Lennon was killed. This is the kind of day where most people can tell you where they were, what they were doing when they heard the news. Days like this always make me look back at my life and see how far I have come. My son, Ken grew up, he graduated from college and he had his whole life ahead of him. He was serving our country in the Army and was sent to Iraq to fight this president's war. Today, Lt Ken Ballard is dead because of the war and I have an overwhelming feeling of sadness every day.
Wikiepedia says, the song, "Imagine" is often used as a celebration of peace. I imagine that if John Lennon were alive today, he would be standing with us questioning and protesting the US involvement in Iraq. I am guessing that he is looking down on us even now.
This holiday season consider doing something out of your comfort zone to speak out to bring an end to this war. Make a resolution in the new year to write a letter, make a phone call to let your legislators know that you want an end to the fighting. Can there be a better holiday gift?
You may say I'm a dreamer,but I'm not the only one,I hope some day you'll join us, And the world will live as one. We can hope!
John, we miss you and your spirit. You are not forgotten.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
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4 comments:
I was thinking to day that today's entertainers often avoid taking controversial political stands. John Lennon was willing to do that. It's almost as important a part of his legacy as his music or it's the same legacy I guess.
When the big get together happened in Crawford this summer, I was glad to see Joan Baez show up there. What I didn't see is comparable popular entertainers from the next generation of musicians, actors, etc. who made a similar stand with you and the other Gold Star Mothers. Either that or they didn't get the same level of coverage.
I agree with you, I suspect John Lennon would have found a way to show his support as well.
It's true that Joan Baez was in Crawford. She traveled to TX before she got an invitation. I think it was time she got back to being active.
She made all of us Gold Star Family members weep when she sang "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" I hadn't heard it since high school.
I saw her in concert here in the Bay Area last weekend. She has the voice of an angel! That she isn't shy about her politics makes her more special.
Joan gets it about ending the war. She also gives great hugs!
When John was killed, Ronald Reagan said "I liked his sisters' music better."
Brainhell,
that's a pretty funny quote. I have this wonderful image of John and Yoko singing with the Lennon sisters. :}
GMSO
my wife just went to see Joan Baez in concert up here. She always comments that not only does the woman still have one of the purest fok voices ever but that there's also always something about her spirit that comes across as equally special.
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