History

Long ago and far away, I was a sophomore in high school. The year was 1964. Hmmmm, you may say, that year rings a bell for some reason. Yes, that was the year the world discovered The Beatles. Fast forward to last night. (time flies.....)

I received a text message on my phone from my friend, Jean. CBS was broadcasting the Kennedy Center honors, the one with Paul McCartney. I immediately turned on the television. Sir Paul was seated between Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama. On stage were a parade of performers, doing their own renditions of some of the songs Paul has composed over the years. The camera pans the audience, and it is amazing: everyone is singing along, or nodding in recognition, or clapping to the beat of the music. Everyone. That included Ms. Winfrey, and President and Mrs. Obama.

The Beatles changed our lives back in the 60's. That isn't a cliche, it is a fact. Our eyes were opened through their music. An entire generation of baby boomers became more socially conscious, better educated, and far more inquisitive about politics, the environment, and the role this country plays on the world stage. It was indeed a revolution.

We always thought The Beatles were fantastic song writers. We stood in line (oh, yes we did) to buy the latest LP album. When the White album was released, it was necessary to reserve a copy at Sears in Park Forest, IL., or you didn't get one. We played those albums hundreds of times. We organized the rental of buses with an adult chaperon to attend all three of the Chicago Beatle concerts.

But to see Sir James Paul McCartney honored as he was at the Kennedy Center brought tears to my eyes. Because that is our Paul.

Way to go, Sir James. Way to go.
Linda

PS: on another note, please take a moment to look at this photograph. It won best bokeh photo at thepioneerwoman.com contest. Just love it! Click here