...wondered as well at how the two chairs looked as if a conversation had been stopped and its occupants had just left the room, wondered then at the love with which the vase had been filled with flowers from the garden, wondered at how I could feel the breeze stirring through the room....and simply wondered at the way paint can work its transcendent magic.
On my way out, I happened to glimpse a work in progress in the Sculpture Court; it was a Wish Tree created by Yoko Ono.
There was a hum of activity, and, judging by glimpses I got of the cards, an outpouring of hope for love and joy and forgiveness and compassion--for everything good that life has to offer.
Later that night, I wandered into Central Park in front of the Dakota. I knew that it would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday, had he not been so cruelly murdered. As it happens, I was on 72nd Street, right across from the entrance to the Dakota, late that night on December 8th, 1980, when Lennon was shot. I was on my way home, and of course I had no idea what was going on; it was mayhem, police cars, ambulances, people gathering. Last night, I was drawn into the Park when I saw people coming out--it was around ten at night, and I thought I would go visit the IMAGINE plaque and pay my respects to John Lennon.
Those who didn't know them found the lyrics on their iPads and sang along too. I joined in, and lost myself in the chorus of voices. We went through dozens of Beatles songs. These were songs I have been singing since I was ten years old, songs I sang to my own children when I was bathing them, or putting them to bed, songs that are part of the soundtrack of our lives. While we sang Yesterday, I found myself thinking about the blue living room, about lives that are interrupted, conversations that are halted, hopes that are destroyed. We sang and sang and sang, and when I left at midnight, people were still playing and singing. We created a joyous, beautiful, communal warmth. Imagine.
29 comments:
Thank You for sharing such a wondrous happening. So beautiful are your words and memories, they brought tears to my eyes.
Those are some of the joys you find on the streets of NYC. I love how people of the city can band together like that -for anything really! The city has great community spirit, much like a small town.
Your description allowed me to be there, as well. Thank you.
I think it's the best post you have ever done....
What a magical, synchronous day you experienced...thank you for appreciating and sharing it so vividly.
Such a beautiful description. I was in Central Park the night after George Harrison passed away (first date with my now husband) and experienced a similar happening. Tons of people singing along to Beatles tunes. We were entranced. And it's something I will always remember. So glad to see New Yorkers carrying on such a wonderful tradition. So sad that John Lennon was taken from us.
Thank you for another beautiful post that inspires living purposefully.
Thank you for sharing the beauty of such a thoughtful and joyous day. I'm filled with hope reading this ; )
Dominique, a day to remember forever, the Matisse you have shown is one of his greats. The tributes and John's Memorials so touching.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Dominique,
You always brighten my day.
Thank you for your wonderful words and weaving of stories, thoughts, images, love and beauty. I am grateful for the places you bring me through your writing and perspective. Thank you.
Thanks for the photos. I will be in NY next week, perhaps it will still be there. I started doing a wish tree on New Year's Day. I noticed the wind blowing one of the wishes around a few weeks ago and thought about what had been written on them. What had come true and what still needs to happen before the year is over.
Thanks again, Tricia
www.cafetrix.blogspot.com
What an incredible adventure - both the original and now this. And as ArchitectDesign aptly pointed out, these are the miracles of New York. So wonderful to be able to experience this special day vicariously through your post. And your photo of the evening, I assume taken with your phone, is magical - the grain and light gives it a modern Seurat-like texture - just wonderful!
That was truly a New York Minute...I loved it and was thrilled to join you. A remembrance that will always be in your heart.
I share your comments regularly via my Facebook page. Blessings to you, dear.
Dominque,
Quite beautiful post. Thank you for sharing.
Now excuse me while I go listen to Imagine!
Best,
Debbie Hemley
http://debbiehemley.com
A perfect New York day. It is wonderful to roam around and let life happen. Those are the best days. Thanks for sharing
Helen Tilston
So lovely. Beautiful photo's. I loved what a previous comment made stated, "I love how New Yorkers all can come together." That is exactly, What John use to sing about and speak about...I also , must say his wife Yoko Ono, has done a beautiful job, to keep his memory and spirit alive with dignity.
Thank you, for sharing this evening with all of us. IMAGINE...
"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans ... "
I don't know about you, but Yoko has grown in my heart every year since John was murdered. I have such respect and appreciation for her ...
Thank you for acknowledging John's incredible contribution to humankind.
How I wish he were among the living ...
Although I left NY 18 years ago for Los Angeles, there are days I wish I could beam myself into the city. This was one of the, but thanks to your post I experienced a magical day in Manhattan by proxy.
Thanks for shaing! I wish I could have joind in the magic. I can't stop crying thinking about what could have been! IMAGINE!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! You made it seem as if I were there, too. I've put a link to your blog in mine today so that more people will be able to enjoy your writing. namaste.
What an incredible experience. I know you will never forget that day.
Sorrry, but?...."a wish tree created by Yoko Ono"?
What?
I know she has gad-zillions of dollars, but I would hope that there's no real need to be THAT reverential (the nice word for it) of her utterly original and ground-breakingly "creative" idea.
Oh...I'm sorry...I forgot...I should have referred to that as a "concept".
My first reaction was "Ummm....hasn't that already been way-done at about 10,000 Unitarian weddings and funerals?"
In any case, this wouldn't be the first thing that Yoko Ono didn't think of first.
I will admit that it was nice to see her posing with Lady GaGa last week. Eighty years ago, one could have achieved the same effect by shoving Wallace Warfield Simpson and Ruth Etting into the same camera shot.
Oh well...le plus ca change?.....
----david terry
www.davidterryart.com
Oooops....just came back after having posted that previous comment yesterday....thinking "Oh, I hope that didn't come off as TOO unpleasant"...
The fact is that I've never been able to "get" John Lennon (at least, anything he ever did by himself), and I'll admit to being one of those people who don't have to spend much time wondering what might have happened for/to Yoko Ono if she'd never married John Lennon.
Not entirely by the way?....I had a really delightful time at a dinner in Charlottesville, VA (at the house of long time friends) when the topic turned to "What/Who is something that you've just NEVER been able to 'get'?"......the sort of person/thing/artist/"movement" that just & simply & forever leaves you uterly un-moved and un-touched....and feeling sort of guily and/or inadequate for failing to rhapsodize or weep over what obviously moves so many other people?"
My first contributions (and this was before I read this post) were "John Lennon and this new food made with foam...also Judy Garland, Marie Callas, and the entire San Francisco metro area...."
I feel guilty, already, having written this.
I should add that I once encountered a "wish-tree" (i.e., you could write a "wish" and string it up on the florist's, trucked-in ficus) was at a christening party. I sincerely thought that was a lovely idea.
----david terry
such a beautiful post, dominique!
I just signed up to your blogs rss feed. Will you post more on this subject?
My partner and I really enjoyed reading this blog post, I was just itching to know do you trade featured posts? I am always trying to find someone to make trades with and merely thought I would ask.
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