Rated
Dec 08
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1 review
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history, john lennon
• wordpress.com
29 years ago today, I was walking to my 9th grade locker when I heard the news that John Lennon had been murdered. Fourteen years old and at the pinnacle of my "Beatles Phase", I was bewildered and crushed. I sobbed fat, pubescent tears by my locker door, which was plastered on the inside with Beatles photos, and walked around school feeling empty and shocked.
I remember getting a ride home from my Catholic school that day with my best friend and her mom. It was still daylight, and I saw headlights on cars as the DJ on WPRO discussed his death and suggested that everyone turn on their headlights as a memorial gesture.
I asked Mrs Burke if she'd turn on the headlights of their Ford LTD station wagon. And her response is still burned into my brain:
"I will definitely NOT. That man said to imagine that there was NO HEAVEN. Serves him right - he had it coming."
And the woodgrained wagon cruised through the Massachusetts landscape, with no lights on until long after dusk, and from the backseat, I prayed for John. And I asked Jesus for forgiveness as I decided that I was never, ever going back to His church.
Mrs. Burke, if you are still out there...
I hope one day you'll join us.
and the world will live as one.