I'll see you in the ICU!

26 years ago today...

I was catching a flight to Buenos Aires.

Upon sitting down in my seat, the flight attendant came by and asked if I wanted to read anything (back in the day when you got food, magazines, newspapers, a hot towel, candy, a smile, you know...that kinda stuff)I said--"a newspaper in English, Please?"

She handed me a New York Times. I remember the exact headline, "JOHN LENNON SHOT DEAD."

That's how I found out.

The person next to me was much older, and was visibly shaken. We read the article together. We began to cry. My mother looked over from across the aisle and saw the article, and though she wasn't an American by birth, or even this generation, she knew who John Lennon was. She shook her head and said "what a senseless tragedy"

Today, I wanted to go down to the Dakota where he was shot.

I've been there twice. It's a beautiful building. It looks like San Francisco inside, and that's why I like it. But, tonight, there was too much meaning in it for me to go. John was 40 when he was killed. My age now.

He'd be 26 years older now, and I wonder what he might have done in that time, how much he would have protested this stupid war...a lot of things.

I wonder why there's violence in the world, and wonder how we can rise above it.

I can't even listen to Beatle's songs tonight.

I remember before I ever came to New York, how a few people really embodied it for me. John Lennon, Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese and a few others. Maybe I'll swing by the Dakota tomorrow on my way to my study date with my friend Ashley. Maybe I'll swing by Strawberry Fields in the park and see what people did there. It may be too sad. I dunno.

Here's an article I found online...I can't say I blame Yoko (as much as I blame her for the break-up of the Beatles; I dislike her and Paul equally...maybe Paul bugs me more...yeah...he bugs me more)



Ono does not forgive Lennon's killer

12/08/2006 2:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Dotmusic

Yoko Ono has appealed to people across the world to mark the anniversary of John Lennon's assassination today by healing the world.

The widow of the former Beatle has issued a lengthy statement calling for peace and forgiveness for all, 26 years after Lennon was shot dead in New York.

Ono, who admits she still cannot forgive Mark David Chapman for killing her husband, tells victims of violence across the world that "your loss is our loss."

The statement includes the following excerpts: "Every year on this day I hear from many from all over the world who remember my husband, John Lennon, and his message of peace. They tell me they are thinking of John on this day and how he was shot and killed at the prime of life, at age 40, when he had so much life ahead of him. Thank you for your undying love for John and also for your concern for me on this tragic anniversary.

"This year, though, on December 8th, while we remember John, I would also like us to focus on sending the following messages to the millions of people suffering around the world. Know that your loss is our loss. Know that the physical and mental abuse that you have endured will have a lingering effect on our society, and the world. Know the burden is ours.

"As the widow of one who was killed by an act of violence, I don't know if I am ready yet to forgive the one who pulled the trigger. I am sure all victims of violent crimes feel as I do. But healing is what is urgently needed now in the world. Let's heal the wounds together. Every year, let's make December 8th the day to ask for forgiveness from those who suffer the insufferable.

"Let's wish strongly that one day we will be able to say that we healed ourselves, and by healing ourselves, we healed the world."

posted by sketchmonkey @ 2:46 PM