In every place that I’ve considered home Bob Gruen’s photo of John Lennon has hung in the kitchen. In the pictures of my first birthday you can see him just behind my frosting covered face, when I moved into my first apartment my mom showed up with a framed copy for me to hang in my kitchen and in every home since he has been the first piece of art to be hung. My mom kept John as a central image because she believed so strongly in politics and ideals he espoused in his lyrics and public endeavors. She used his words -the lyrics to Imagine were also framed and hung in the entry way of our home – and actions to teach us about political activism and peaceful living and by carrying on the tradition of placing Lennon’s photo in hub of my home I am reminded daily of the importance of standing up for what you believe in and engaging in the events and community surrounding you.
Today would have been Lennon’s 70th birthday and while he may not be around his word will live on forever.
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday youll join us
And the world will live as one