9 October, 2013 - A friend of us all would have been 73 today

Poor old John Lennon - he certainly wasn't poor, and he was deprived of the chance to grow old.  He would have been 73 years old today, and it's tough to not imagine what he would have been up to these days - perhaps retired, doing another tour, answering every new Paul McCartney album with an "oh, yeah?" of his own. 

Today would have been his birthday, yet, we're the ones being gifted.  I'm grateful to have stumbled upon someone with such great influence - not only in a cultural vein, but also in my personal life - his humour, his philosophy on life, his individuality, his creativity.  There are also things such as his incredible voice, both singing and speaking. 

As an Irishman, I was thrilled to learn of his Irish ancestry - the origins of his surname are listed in the booklet of Walls and Bridges, his best album.  

All this begs the question of paying it forward.  What sort of influence are we on others in our lives?  What are our thoughts, our philosophies, our experiences?  What can we share with others?  Who out there takes a look at us and think "it must be awesome to be that one - I'm so jealous, they get to live with themselves all the time.  If I were them, I'd never leave the house." 

John Lennon, for all his ups and downs, really showed me a thing or two about enjoying life, and getting through the hassles.  I loved his line "wasn't the 70's a drag?  What about now?" 

You know that beautiful park that runs along 103rd street, after Central, next to the golf course?  I think I'll take a walk through it this Sunday - it's the next time I'll be home during daylight hours - I'd like to see where I'm going, as it's under construction at the moment. 
Lennon always dug a good stroll through the park - he lived across the street from one just like I do.  So, why not? 

Anyway, if you're a fan, keep him in your thoughts and in your ear-buds.  If you're not a fan, what the hell are you waiting for?  BECOME ONE!