-All You Need is Love-

I was a boy when I heard the news flash. I lived in an apartment near the Columbia University district, in Manhattan, New York. It was a cold December day and the television was on when I heard the horrific news: “John Lennon has been shot dead”. At first I was sceptic, did not know how to react. I wanted to cry, but I didn’t know quite know why. After all, I had never met the man. I just knew his songs. He was not my friend, he was just a singer whose songs I loved and whose life was truly worth imitating. Sure, he was someone who had had a terrible childhood, and even so he became someone in life, someone to look up to. A peace maker, a dreamer, a lover of life, a lover of love.
What in the world could make somebody want to kill such a nice guy, that man with long hair and round glasses with the funny accent? All I knew was that some crazy guy named "mark something" had just shot John five times. Why? I still don’t understand.

The news coverage was complete. And if I close my eyes I almost see the image shown on TV, a large crowd gathered in Central Park holding candles in their hands while singing “All you need is love” with tears in their eyes. Even now, as an adult, when I remember that scene I can easily break down.

But what I really want is to offer a humble tribute a man whose life has marked mine in so many different ways. John Lennon, he inspired so many people, so many lives, including mine. I always smile when I hear my five year old son sing “All you need is love”. Yes, he's only five but he definitely knows who Johs Lennon was. And he is yet another one of the millions of admirers of the man.

John, your message of love is being spread around the world this very moment, and you are as present in our lives as you ever were.

My eternal gratitude for your contribution of love and peace on earth.

CA