Since today is my birthday, I should be able to take the day off, but I can’t ignore the fact that it’s also John Lennon’s birthday (and my granddaughter Hannah). John was born just two years ahead of me in 1940 in Liverpool, England. His mother was Julia and his father was Alfred. He was a merchant seaman and this was the middle of World War II for England. Alfred was gone a lot and missed the birth. Julia strayed and when Alfred returned home, he found that she had been unfaithful to him. He left and it is believed he went to Australia.

John didn’t see him again until after they became successful as the Beatles when he tried to re-insert himself into John’s life. John told him to get lost. John did not live with his mother when he was young, instead living with an Aunt Mimi and her husband. So, John grew up not really having parents he could turn to. Probably might have influenced some of his beliefs later in life.

I like to include a video, so here is his most famous song. You heard it during the closing ceremonies of the Olympics this summer. There are several videos of Imagine but this one is my favorite: