December 8, 1980 one man was born as another died. John Lennon was shot outside his apartment in New York City while on the other side of the state in a small hospital in Jamestown I was born. In no way are these two events linked, other than the day, but I've always shared some sort of attachment to John Lennon, I can't explain it very well but I know it's there, maybe our souls passed on the great escalator in the sky or something. Maybe my soul said good morning to his soul as we passed the "gates of heaven" like two people crisscrossing in an elevator door. It's something I've always felt, even in the earliest stages of my life. I've always been drawn to his writing, songs, and various statements made through out his life. Now I don't live my life according to Lennon, but I try to pass along the same statements, because I share his believes and a good many views on the world that he had as many others did, and still do. His songs have always been part of my life and intertwined with it. When we started seeing flag covered caskets coming back from Iraq, some of them my friends, I played Imagine. Many nights before I put my son to bed I sing Beautiful Boy to him, while he giggles at his goofy Daddy. When my marriage failed I sang Jealous Guy. When I met another I sang (Just Like) Starting Over. My son begs me to play Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds when we're driving so we can sing along, he only knows the chorus, but he's getting there. There are many other examples I could give, but the point is made and I'd go on all night and it is after all, my birthday. Now that I'm trying to take up my own musical adventure I take a lot of influence from John. I don't try to duplicate, because there will never be another John Lennon, just like there will never be another me. We are all our own person and we should all strive to be our own person, but there is nothing wrong with looking to others for guidance and inspiration. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
Was he perfect? No, he was just simply a man. He simply did what he felt was right and stood by what he thought was right. That, my friends is something that I admire greatly. That is something that I've tried to do for a good portion of my life. I admire John Lennon for what he said during his life even though it was often looked upon in a negative light. All he tried to do was pass along his views on the world and hopefully a few others would come along and join in. Those views where simply love and peace. How could someone shoot a man who sang about love and peace? Here we are 25 years later and his messages are just as relevant today as they where when they where new. All you need is love. You could have many unhappy things in your life, but if your loved it doesn't seem so bad for some reason. All we are saying is give peace a chance. Everyone on this planet could benefit from that statement. We've become so numb to violence because it's been around since we where made, but what if there where Nothing to kill or die for?
Was he perfect? No, he was just simply a man. He simply did what he felt was right and stood by what he thought was right. That, my friends is something that I admire greatly. That is something that I've tried to do for a good portion of my life. I admire John Lennon for what he said during his life even though it was often looked upon in a negative light. All he tried to do was pass along his views on the world and hopefully a few others would come along and join in. Those views where simply love and peace. How could someone shoot a man who sang about love and peace? Here we are 25 years later and his messages are just as relevant today as they where when they where new. All you need is love. You could have many unhappy things in your life, but if your loved it doesn't seem so bad for some reason. All we are saying is give peace a chance. Everyone on this planet could benefit from that statement. We've become so numb to violence because it's been around since we where made, but what if there where Nothing to kill or die for?
Happy Birthday.
"we all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun"
-John Lennon
-John Lennon
