In My Life.........

A high school friend of mine recently turned 60 (yes 60!) and I traveled out to Brooklyn to share this momentous event with her and several of her friends. I don't get to see Terry too often what with her living in PA and me in NY but over the years we have always managed to stay in touch. It was a lovely spring evening, and when I arrived I realized that I did not know most of the folks who were there, reminding me that over the years our divergent paths have led us to many other relationships beyond those early high school days. It did not take long though to become very comfortable in this group for I discovered that two things connected everyone who was there....our love for Terry and of the Beatles! Yes the Fab Four were certainly high on our experience charts. Terry (always the creative one) gave a presentation that night reflecting on her life's journey to this point and at the end of each phase related it to a Beatles classic which we sang with much enthusiasm! As the evening wore on it became evident that no one left a stranger to another for we shared a special bond through the stories and music that so shaped our lives. Recently, I was speaking to a group of junior girls at a high school and one remarked that she LOVED the Beatles. I was surprised that she even knew about them but then found out about"Guitar Hero". When I told her that I had been at their Shea Stadium concerts in the 60's she looked at me wide eyed. I wondered if she was impressed that I saw them or that I was that old, but regardless it left some impression on her and the group!

Since my experience at Terry's party, I have reflected on what other events, people which have touched my life and has transcended other generations. There are many to be mentioned for sure but I think the bottom line for most of us has to be our belief in loving and caring God. As much as I can find fond memories and comfort at times in hearing a Beatles song, there is nothing that compares to the realization of how God has touched and shaped my life. The Beatles told us that "All You Need Is Love" but over the years as my relationship with God has unfolded, I've discovered that I don't need love because I have LOVE within me always - the LOVE that is God - the Love that is constant - the LOVE that never ends - the LOVE that transcends all others. I have been blessed to experience this LOVE in my life and share it with others along the way. Through their music, the Beatles taught me much about life and perhaps they put it best when they sang: "to lead a better life, I need my love to be near" because I've discovered when God is near to me I can just "Let It Be"!